DEARBORN, MI – Ford has introduced a dealer-installed SYNC accessory kit that allows select 2008 Navigator and Navigator L customers to enjoy the voice-activated communications system that works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players.

Ford first introduced the Microsoft-powered SYNC system on the 2008 Ford Focus. Eleven other 2008-MY products soon followed, including the Ford Edge, Taurus, and the Lincoln MKX and Lincoln MKZ. As part of Ford's aggressive migration plan, SYNC will be offered on nearly every 2009MY Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicle.

"The company's decision to offer the custom SYNC accessory retrofit kit first on Navigator wasn't casual," said Doug White, vehicle personalization marketing & planning manager, who added that original migration plans were to add SYNC to the luxury SUV for the 2009-model year. "Customers and dealers were telling us that we needed SYNC on our flagship SUV, and we felt we needed to respond to those concerns as quickly as we could."

For the SYNC retrofit kit, customers must own a 2008 Navigator or Navigator L equipped with the Elite Package that includes the voice-activated navigation radio and rear seat DVD. Vehicles must also be built after Dec. 4, 2007. The accessory kit, which consists of the SYNC module and related hardware, costs under $550 installed. Installation time is under two hours.

The system uses the existing steering wheel button controls and voice-activation functionality connected with the navigation system, eliminating the need for an add-on HMI or microphone to operate SYNC. Once installed, the retrofit SYNC system is fully integrated. 

SYNC accessory kits are also under development for other vehicles, including the Ford Mustang.