Register now for the 2021 Ford Police Ride and Drive Tour!
Please join us for an in-depth exploration and drive experience with the newest Ford Police Vehicles!
Get a product deep-dive into the All-New 2021 F-150 Police Responder®, the only pursuit-rated pickup on the market – now – upgraded with an improved top speed of 120 mph, enhanced performance and capability, and additional officer-inspired content.
You will also receive a dynamic drive experience in the game-changing Police Interceptor® Utility – the first-ever, pursuit-rated hybrid Police SUV. It offers the potential for significant fuel cost savings without any performance tradeoffs and additional purpose-built police features and innovative technologies.
To register at a location near you, please click on the following link:
Ford Power-Up software updates deliver regular vehicle enhancements to Ford owners, turning connected vehicle learnings into continuous quality improvements, new features and capabilities: Ford to produce 33 million vehicles with Power-Up capability by 2028
Ford Power-Up enhancements already have been sent to more than 100,000 2021 F-150 and Mustang Mach-E customers since late March; new Sketch for touchscreen drawing and simple gaming coming to Mustang Mach-E soon
Ford Power-Up enhancements include what’s planned to be the industry’s broadest roll-out yet of the new, more seamless Amazon Alexa Built-in hands-free experience, offering complimentary access to key features for up to three years; companies plan to work together to deliver enhanced features and new commercial services over the next six years.
Ford Power-Up software updates will deliver available BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology for properly equipped F-150 and Mustang Mach-E vehicles
DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2021 – Settling in for a drive in an enhanced, upgraded vehicle will now become a regular experience for Ford owners as the company routinely delivers new features and improvements through its wireless software update technology called Ford Power-Up.
The first Ford Power-Up software updates for F-150 and Mustang Mach-E customers in North America began in March, accelerating a transformation well underway with more than 6 million vehicles on the road today featuring advanced, embedded modem connectivity. New vehicles equipped with Ford Power-Up capability identify customer preferences and vehicle issues, which Ford engineers then translate into quality and capability improvements delivered through Ford Power-Up enhancements.
“Software updates are common across billions of connected devices but not yet for vehicles. Ford Power-Up software updates will change that by quickly bringing it to millions of people,” says Alex Purdy, director, business operations, enterprise connectivity, Ford Motor Company. “We’ve invested in more seamless technology so updates can happen while you’re sleeping – making your next ride a better experience.”
A new fully networked, second-generation electrical architecture and advanced tech stack create the foundation to deliver unique Ford Power-Up software updates. These quick and easy wireless upgrades help enhance features, quality, experiences, capability and convenience. Capable of updating the vast majority of vehicle computer modules – more than 110 on higher end models – these upgrades can help improve the ownership experience and may help reduce the need for repair trips.
Many Ford Power-Up software updates will be virtually invisible to customers, enabled by a tech platform that installs much of the new software in the background. Many updates require little to no action by the customer, enabled by SYNC® 4 Technology that keeps current software running until the new version is ready to go.
For updates that require reboots, Ford invites customers to schedule them at convenient times, such as overnight. Some updates can be made in under two minutes1, while others may take longer. Unlike updates for devices such as laptops which often seem to come at inconvenient times, vehicle owners may not even notice that the installation occurred until the vehicle is started.
Amazon and Ford plan to expand relationship to create new features
Ford is prepping what’s planned to be the industry’s broadest rollout of the embedded Alexa hands-free experience to date, with complimentary connectivity to Alexa for up to three years2. This year alone, the same type of Alexa voice command functionality many people have in their homes will be wired to 700,000 Ford vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, followed by millions more over the next few years.
As part of a new strategic engagement between Amazon and Ford, the companies plan to work together to deliver enhanced features and new commercial services over the next six years. This includes exploring the development of the first custom Alexa skills for Ford commercial vehicles, using the power of Alexa artificial intelligence to help business owners and fleet managers stay in touch with their teams and increase productivity.
“We’re excited to work with Amazon to bring powerful new AI-enabled experiences to Ford customers,” says Purdy. “We believe in the power of teaming up with other innovators. Bringing Ford’s vehicle know-how together with Amazon’s technology expertise will deliver in-vehicle capabilities that help our retail customers travel more enjoyably and with ease, while helping our commercial customers operate more profitably.”
Alexa will initially be delivered through Ford Power-Up software updates beginning this fall for Bronco®, Edge, F-150, Mustang Mach-E and Super Duty® customers with SYNC 4 Technology in the U.S. and Canada, with other regions to follow.
“Democratizing technology and putting it within reach of millions of customers has been a part of Ford’s DNA dating back to the Model T, and our new collaboration is a continuation of that legacy,” says Ned Curic, vice president, Alexa Automotive. “We can’t wait for Ford customers to experience the best of what Alexa and voice AI can do while on the road – including new features and capabilities that will be delivered seamlessly through future over-the-air software updates. We love the vote of confidence from Ford to deepen our work together and continue making the driving experience more connected, entertaining, and productive.”
The support of Alexa on SYNC 4 represents the latest collaboration between Ford and Amazon. Ford first brought Alexa into its vehicles in 2017, starting with connected vehicle skills and then adding in-vehicle capabilities through the SYNC AppLink smartphone app, which is still available but no longer required for the new, more seamless capability. More information about how customers can set up an Alexa account will be shared closer to launch.
Inside their vehicle, Ford customers can ask Alexa to control smart home devices, place calls, locate parking and more. Alexa capabilities delivered through SYNC 4 Technology provide the convenience of hands-free, voice-initiated interactions – minimizing the need for drivers to view or touch screens and helping them keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Customers can interact with their vehicles naturally and say things like, “Alexa, find the closest gas station” or “Alexa, play my road trip playlist” or “Alexa, call Mom.”
Ford customers will be able to access the benefits of Amazon’s world-class voice AI and intelligent features both inside and outside their vehicle. Combined with the FordPass skill for Alexa3 – which customers can continue to use to control vehicle functions such as start/stop engine, lock and unlock doors4, check vehicle range or tire pressure all from the comfort of their home – Ford is bringing smart homes and connected vehicles closer together.
Powering up new features, quality
Over the last two months, 2021 F-150 and Mustang Mach-E customers have begun receiving Ford Power-Up enhancements. Mustang Mach-E customers in North America and Europe soon will receive Sketch -- also referred to as Notes in vehicle menus – for touchscreen drawing and simple gaming.
Ford Power-Up software updates will quickly expand to nearly all vehicle computer modules, enabling an update of Ford Co-Pilot360™ Technology that adds BlueCruise5 hands-free highway driving to Intelligent Cruise Control. This will be delivered to properly equipped F-150 and Mustang Mach-E vehicles with additional software purchase later this year.
The company’s move to modernize its quality processes is already delivering results. Ford engineers used connected vehicle data to quickly identify issues with F-150 zone lighting. Ford also plans to address an issue with F-150 and Mustang Mach-E Android Auto connectivity by June.
Customers also will continue to receive new enhancements over the coming weeks, including:
Remote Vehicle Setup and Trip Logs let new Mustang Mach-E customers use the FordPass™ app to set up profile preferences, including radio presets, in the cloud to be sent to vehicles, while trip logs track battery usage and other driving details on each trip.
F-150 SYNC 4 and Mustang Mach-E SYNC 4A upgrades, including:
Navigation enhancementsautomatically make helpful destination suggestions, plus new cloud connectivity combines conversational voice command recognition with internet-based search.
Apple CarPlayÒ compatibilityenhancement to display turn-by-turn navigation in the vehicle’s instrument cluster6.
Digital owner’s manual enhancements to continue making the innovative, paperless product guides even more valuable.
Miami MAY 7, 2021 – As part of Ford’s commitment to strengthen local communities, the company is joining forces withHealth in the HoodandWorld Central Kitchento deliver 5,000 fresh, healthy, pre-prepared meals to families in Miami-Dade County. The mobilized delivery service will run for eight weeks and complement Health in the Hood’s existing distribution program, with Ford delivering meals via Ford Transit Connect vans to over 60 families weekly who are living in food deserts.
“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in food insecurity in Miami due to job loss,” said Asha Walker, Founder and CEO, Health in the Hood. “By teaming up with corporate community partners like Ford, we are able to mobilize our food pantry and provide additional access to families who might have otherwise not have been able to receive the meals.”
Administered by Ford Fund – the automaker’s philanthropic arm – Ford is contributing $25,000 to kick off the effort led by Health in the Hood, a nonprofit whose mission is to fight food insecurity. World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond, is providing the pre-prepared, fresh meals in addition to their ongoing Miami efforts. Ford’s mobility team is also providing support via its Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) software platform to help manage the delivery vehicles and notify recipients when their food is on the way.
The Ford Volunteer Corps will set the stage for meal delivery with a day of service at Health in the Hood. As part of the day of service, local employees across Ford’s mobility business and Ford’s micromobility unit Spin, will help harvest and plant vegetables at its urban gardens. Spin is operating a fleet of dockless scooters in the City of Miami and City of Coral Gables and Ford, in partnership with Argo AI, is currently building an autonomous vehicle service in Miami Dade.
“This program builds on Ford and Ford Fund’s long-term commitment to the Miami community,” said Joe Avila, manager, U.S. & Latin America, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Using our collective resources and expertise, we are able to provide a much-needed service for local families, who now have access to quality meals provided by Health in the Hood and World Central Kitchen.”
Ford Fund and local Ford dealers have invested more than $8 million in Miami-Dade County and the Miami area to boost education, provide disaster relief and advance social entrepreneurship. More recently, 1 million masks were donated to local nonprofits, first responders and the public as part of Ford and Ford Fund’s effort to donate 120 million masks to communities across the U.S.
Fordhas been hyping this since last year, but Wednesday it said its Level 2 semiautonomous driving system is finally coming to many 2021 Mustang Mach-Es and 2021 Ford F-150s via over-the-air software update later this year. It’s called BlueCruise.
Fordsaysthat ittested BlueCruise on five F-150s and five Mustang Mach-Es on over 500,000 miles of roads in 37 states in the U.S. and five provinces in Canada.
Here’s how it works, according to Ford:
Using both advanced camera and radar-sensing technologies and building upon Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering and Speed Sign Recognition, BlueCruise adds a new level of convenience for drivers with vehicles equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology. The feature allows a driver to operate truly hands-free on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones. A driver-facing camera in the instrument cluster monitors eye gaze and head position to help ensure the driver’s eyes remain on the road.
Currently, more than 100,000 miles of highways across North America are dedicated Hands-Free Blue Zones in the Ford GPS mapping system. BlueCruise uses blue lighting on the digital instrument cluster to indicate when the vehicle is in a hands-free zone.
In addition to the full hands-free mode, equipped vehicles will also feature Lane Centering mode. Lane Centering works on most roads with lane lines and can help keep the vehicle centered in its lane but requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel. In either mode, a visual prompt on the instrument cluster notifies drivers when they need to return their attention to the road or resume control of the vehicle.
Ford says that BlueCruise is better than Tesla’s Autopilot because it offers a true hands-free mode, and it’s better than GM’s Super Cruise and Autopilot because it has better visual cues. BlueCruise will cost $600 for the software and more for the hardware, and only available on certain trims of the F-150 and Mustang Mach-E, or the ones that have Ford Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0.
Ford says that it will also be expanding the miles of roads that are Hands-Free Blue Zones, and eventually offering an automated lane-changing feature in the future. That’s in addition to something called Predictive Speed Assist that will “adjust vehicle speed for road curves, roundabouts and more.”
A versatile directional warning light with a silicone lens that can be mounted on flat or curved surfaces up to 120° with self-adhesive, very high bond tape.
