DEARBORN, MI – Ford Motor Company has launched a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system. The Ford-exclusive technology, based on Microsoft Auto software called Sync, provides the convenience and flexibility to bring nearly any mobile phone or digital media player into the vehicle and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle’s steering wheel or radio controls. Sync seamlessly integrates the vehicle with portable electronic devices and is upgradeable to support future devices. Sync offers two ways to bring electronic devices into Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles and operate them seamlessly through voice commands or steering wheel controls:

• Bluetooth, for wireless phone connection and phones that play music.
  

• A USB 2.0 port for controlling and charging digital media players. Supported formats include MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV, and PCM.

  Sync offers the ability to upgrade the system, control all portable electronic devices via voice commands, offer a USB port to connect storage devices, and recharge electronics.

  Sync will debut this calendar year on the 2008 Ford Focus, Fusion, Five Hundred, Edge, Freestyle, Explorer, and Sport Trac; Mercury Milan, Montego, and Mountaineer; and Lincoln MKX and MKZ. The technology will be offered in all Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles in the near future.

  Sync Features:

  
  

• Voice-activated, hands-free calling.
  

• Uninterrupted connections.
  

• Audible text messages.
  

• Advanced calling features.
  

• Voice-activated music.
  

• Instant voice recognition.
  

• Ring tone support.
  

• Automatic phonebook transfer.
  

• Multilingual intelligence.