Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
• Ford’s pioneering SYNC® system has been upgraded with a voice-activated Traffic,
Directions & Information application that helps customers save time, fuel and money while
keeping their focus on driving
• Innovations such as Active Park Assist take the guesswork – and stress – out of parallel
parking
• Ford is helping forge the next frontier of safety with “active” crash-avoidance technologies
that help customers avoid situations that could lead to accidents
• Ford is building on its leading number of top crash safety ratings by introducing new, faster-
deploying pressure-based side air bag technologies and by using more lightweight, high-
strength materials
DEARBORN, Mich., July 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company is speeding the introduction of
innovative technologies to help add convenience, safety and fuel efficiency, many building on
the company’s groundbreaking SYNC fully integrated, voice-activated communications and
entertainment system.
The company also is designing new ways to help keep customers safer in its vehicles, adding to
an already impressive track record. In fact, Ford has the most National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration 5-Star safety ratings of any brand and the most Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety “Top Safety Pick” ratings of any company.
Drive Smart
Ford’s commitment to deliver industry-leading technology solutions includes two main facets:
First, since busy lifestyles often require staying connected, it’s essential to reduce distraction and
make technology easier to use while driving. Second, new ways to use technology to improve
the driving experience are constantly sought out. With those goals in mind, Ford offers a number
of industry-leading technology advances on many of its 2010 vehicles, including:
This latest application of SYNC now is available for downloading on select 2010 Ford vehicles
equipped with SYNC and becomes standard on all SYNC-equipped vehicles beginning with the
2010 Ford Taurus.
SYNC isn’t just convenient: A new study shows that SYNC significantly reduces the level of
distraction when drivers select a phone number or choose a song on their MP3 player compared
with the same operations using hand-held cell phones and music players.
Active Park Assist uses sensors on the front and rear of the
vehicle, working in conjunction with Electric Power Assist
Steering (EPAS), to guide the vehicle into a parallel-parking
space. Here’s how it works:
• The driver activates the system by pressing an instrument panel button, which enables the
ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible parallel-parking space.
• The system prompts the driver to accept assistance to park the vehicle.
• The steering system takes over and steers the car into the parking space hands-free.
The driver still shifts the transmission and operates the gas and brake pedals.
• A visual and/or audible driver interface advises the driver as to the proximity of other cars,
objects and people, and provides instructions.
• While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains responsible for safe parking
and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel.
Ford’s Forward Sensing System uses four hidden sensors mounted in the front fascia and
audible beeps to help drivers determine how close they are to objects in front of their vehicle
while parking. It can detect objects up to 1,500 feet away, plus objects at certain heights, such as
parking blocks, that are out of the driver’s view.
Drive Safe
Today, Ford is pioneering new “active” crash-avoidance technologies, because the best way to
help ensure accident survivability is to avoid one in the first place. By introducing even more
crash-protection technologies such as ultra-high-strength, lighter-weight steel and advanced new
air bag systems, Ford has helped build upon its leading number of U.S. government 5-Star and
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety “Top Safety Pick” crash safety ratings. The company
also has standardized advanced air bags, stability control systems and reminders to use safety
belts – still the No. 1 life-saving device – on millions of vehicles.
The 2010 Ford Taurus and 2009 Ford F-150 are some of the industry’s first vehicles to feature
the new pressure-based technology.
If the collision risk increases despite the warning, Brake Support is activated, which pre-charges
and prepares the brakes to enable harder, quicker deceleration to aid in a panic stop and lessen
the impact of a collision.
###