With all the gloom in the global economy, I got to wondering whether there is anything else going on in the world of business. I'm looking for growth because I think that's what will ultimately bring the economy out of the doldrums. Not surprisingly, that growth is coming from technology companies. In Growth Matters, I look at consumer technology companies that point the way to growth trends -- and in the process introduce services and products you may want to explore.
In the early 1970s, Ford Motor (NYSE: F) had a great slogan: "Ford brings you better ideas." Although the auto industry is driving in reverse these days, Ford is the only U.S. auto maker yet to take government money. It may need to do so eventually, but for now Ford is getting by. And one of its better ideas is Ford SYNC, which Charlotte Fisher, Ford's Global Design and Technology Communications spokesperson, described to me as "a voice-activated, in-car communications technology that lets Ford customers play music, call friends, or receive text messages, without ever taking a hand off the wheel."
Fisher continued by pointing out that SYNC was "developed by Ford in partnership with Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) and it allows users to access their MP3 players and navigate by song, artist, album, or playlist using simple voice commands. SYNC enables Ford customers to use almost any Bluetooth-enabled phone to make hands-free calls. SYNC will even read text messages over the vehicle's speakers, so drivers can keep their eyes on the road."
SYNC is big business -- in 2008 Ford sold 500,000 vehicles with SYNC, and in 2009, Ford expects to sell1.3 million SYNC-equipped vehicles. As Paul Anderson, Ford's Manager for Cross Vehicle Marketing & Strategy, said "We want to make the technology available to the masses. Unlike our competitors who offer a new feature on the luxury model and work their way down to the lower-priced models, we started with the small, inexpensive Ford Focus and we are making SYNC available to anybody who needs or wants it. SYNC costs $395 and is thus an inexpensive option, and it is standard equipment in some models. By the end of 2009, SYNC will be available in 70% of our vehicles."
SYNC seems like a better idea to me. If you've tried it, comment below and let us know how you like it.
Peter Cohan is president of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College. His eighth book is You Can't Order Change: Lessons from Jim McNerney's Turnaround at Boeing. He has no financial interest in the securities mentioned.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-24-2009 @ 6:59PM
william lindblad said...
Ford is not immune, they did a massive cut back about six years ago which included cuts in retire health care, both salary and hourly, and also a good sized cut in personnel and production. GM had delphi and all of the problems that went with it. Chrysler had benz. Every car maker in this world has some kind of trouble, from minor to major including Renault. If the latter is in trouble, they all are, as that company was the best positioned to withstand and economic set back.
2-27-2009 @ 9:02AM
tcbillstout7 said...
MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW LINCOLN MKS
IN DECEMBER WITH SYNC. NOT ONLY ARE WE
WELL PLEASED, BUT OVERALL WITH A FINE AUTOMOBILE. THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER GREAT FEATURES ARE HATS ARE OFF TO FORD. GO!
2-27-2009 @ 11:26PM
yausa3 said...
We purchased the ford focus. Kids love the sync. Wife loves the car. It looks great, drives great and the gas milage is great. Come on Americans. BUY AMERICAN.