cobrabitn
01-11-2008, 01:20 AM
FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO FEATURE FACTORY-INSTALLED HD RADIO TECHNOLOGY IN 2009
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2008 – Ford Motor Company today became the first US automaker to announce the availability of factory-installed HD Radio™ technology as a standard or optional feature on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles beginning in calendar year 2009.
The announcement follows Ford’s launch of HD Radio technology in the fall of 2007 as a dealer-installed option. As with the company’s ground-breaking SYNC system, the factory-installation of HD Radio technology expands Ford’s commitment to deliver state-of-the-art entertainment and communications technologies.
“Our goal is to offer drivers the best new features and the most choice,” said Jim Buczkowski, Ford’s director of Electrical System Engineering. “The great local content, the crystal-clear sound quality and the variety of channels and data services offered by HD Radio is exactly what customers are beginning to expect in their vehicles. Moving forward, a radio will no longer be considered competitive if it doesn’t include digital technology.”
HD Radio technology dramatically increases the sound quality of radio broadcasts and enables more than one radio broadcast on a single channel. As a result, consumers hear a wide range of new HD2/HD3 multicast stations as well as their favorite radio stations in crystal clear digital sound. More than 1500 radio stations in the U.S. currently broadcast in digital HD Radio sound, with more than 700 stations also airing HD2/HD3 multicasts.
Beginning in 2009, HD Radio technology will join other factory-installed technologies – including SYNC and the company’s next-generation of navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link – offered in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles to make driving more enjoyable and convenient than ever. Digital radio will be additional source of source of information and entertainment that drivers can choose, particularly for great local and community information not available through other sources.
HD Radio Broadcasting Continues to Grow in Popularity
HD Radio broadcasting is rapidly growing in popularity and is now available to over 80 percent of the population. More than 1,500 AM/FM stations are currently offering digital content, including more than 700 HD2/HD3 multicast stations offering unique formats and content. All a consumer needs is a new HD Radio receiver; the content is free.
There are over 50 distinct HD Radio receivers for sale at thousands of retail stores and online. The radios are priced from under $100 from major mass-market retailers across the U.S., so virtually anyone can experience the crystal-clear digital sound on AM and FM as well as the broadcast-exclusive new FM channels. For a full list of HD Radio stations, visit http://www.hdradio.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2008 – Ford Motor Company today became the first US automaker to announce the availability of factory-installed HD Radio™ technology as a standard or optional feature on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles beginning in calendar year 2009.
The announcement follows Ford’s launch of HD Radio technology in the fall of 2007 as a dealer-installed option. As with the company’s ground-breaking SYNC system, the factory-installation of HD Radio technology expands Ford’s commitment to deliver state-of-the-art entertainment and communications technologies.
“Our goal is to offer drivers the best new features and the most choice,” said Jim Buczkowski, Ford’s director of Electrical System Engineering. “The great local content, the crystal-clear sound quality and the variety of channels and data services offered by HD Radio is exactly what customers are beginning to expect in their vehicles. Moving forward, a radio will no longer be considered competitive if it doesn’t include digital technology.”
HD Radio technology dramatically increases the sound quality of radio broadcasts and enables more than one radio broadcast on a single channel. As a result, consumers hear a wide range of new HD2/HD3 multicast stations as well as their favorite radio stations in crystal clear digital sound. More than 1500 radio stations in the U.S. currently broadcast in digital HD Radio sound, with more than 700 stations also airing HD2/HD3 multicasts.
Beginning in 2009, HD Radio technology will join other factory-installed technologies – including SYNC and the company’s next-generation of navigation with SIRIUS Travel Link – offered in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles to make driving more enjoyable and convenient than ever. Digital radio will be additional source of source of information and entertainment that drivers can choose, particularly for great local and community information not available through other sources.
HD Radio Broadcasting Continues to Grow in Popularity
HD Radio broadcasting is rapidly growing in popularity and is now available to over 80 percent of the population. More than 1,500 AM/FM stations are currently offering digital content, including more than 700 HD2/HD3 multicast stations offering unique formats and content. All a consumer needs is a new HD Radio receiver; the content is free.
There are over 50 distinct HD Radio receivers for sale at thousands of retail stores and online. The radios are priced from under $100 from major mass-market retailers across the U.S., so virtually anyone can experience the crystal-clear digital sound on AM and FM as well as the broadcast-exclusive new FM channels. For a full list of HD Radio stations, visit http://www.hdradio.com.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.