Ford Sync 3 Recieving Praise As Major Infotainment Upgrade

Vehicle infotainment systems have undergone an evolution in recent years. Infotainment systems have suffered from being too outdated. The systems weren’t obsolete when they were launched, however they quickly become that way after only a short amount of time. As vehicles evolved from having an in-dash tape deck to CD player to navigation and satellite radio, they always seemed one step behind.

This was certainly the case with the “Sync” system from Ford. Consumer reports produced an entire 2012 article about why the system is so bad that the cars should be avoided because of the terrible infotainment system. Part of that article reads, “In the end, our frustration with MyFord Touch has hammered many Ford models’ test scores to a level below our threshold to recommend a model. In any case, we wouldn’t recommend dealing with the frustrations of MyFord Touch on a daily basis even to an adversary.” Certainly Ford had their work cut out for them. To make up for the previous system, they did an overhaul.

Ford has now introduced the Sync 3 infotainment system. The unit has changed over from Microsoft to QNX, an infotainment system OS by blackberry. Unlike the previous Sync system, this one apparently doesn’t suffer from severe lag and the potential for the dreaded “blue screen of death.” Raj Nair, Chief Technology Officer at Ford, told a group of journalists who visited the company the new Sync 3 is the most researched product Ford has ever produced. The new system took 18 months to develop and is based on feedback from 22,000 consumers and Ford owners.

Michelle Krebs of Autotrader.com, who felt that change was long overdue, applauds the upgrade. Krebs told WWJ Detroit, “…(the) MyFordTouch label (and SYNC before it) has been the modern-day equivalent of Edsel for the automaker. So good riddance MyFordTouch.” The Sync 3 system will eventually work directly with Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto. Until that time, holding down the ‘talk’ button on the steering wheel can engage Siri functionality for iOS-equipped motorists. Reports indicate that one Ford vehicle will receive Sync 3 in 2015, with the system coming standard to Ford and Lincoln vehicles by 2016.

Have customers ever asked you about infotainment systems? Was it part of their buying decision? How much training do you think that your staff needs on infotainment systems in order to explain them to customers?