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Ford Offers Sync AppLink for 3.4 Million More Customers

DEARBORN (WWJ) -- Ford Motor Co. said Friday it's making its Sync AppLink to another 3.4 million Ford vehicles now on the road.

The vehicles will be model year 2010 and newer vehicles equipped with Sync. They'll be eligible to download AppLink later this year.

Currently, Sync AppLink allows users to seamlessly control over 60 smartphone mobile apps -- on both iOS and Android platforms -- using the car's voice commands, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Ford was the first automaker to offer an open developer program, www.developer.ford.com, to help keep customers connected inside the vehicle and will continue to add new Sync-enabled smartphone apps to enhance the driving experience.

Ford also announced a new organization to manage connectivity throughout the company. It will be led by automotive and telematics industry veteran Don Butler, who will report to Raj Nair, group vice president for global product development.

Butler was most recently vice president for globla strategy for Cadillac at General Motors, where he also led strategy and business development for the company's OnStar division. Butler also served as vice president for telematics startup Inrix.

In the new position of executive director of connected vehicle and services, Butler is responsible for Ford's global integrated connectivity vision and strategy. He will lead development of a near-, mid- and long-term plan, with the goal of delivering a best-in-class customer experience both inside and outside of the vehicle.

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