What would Henry Ford think of Google, Twitter or Skype? How could the founder of Ford Motor Co., whose model T debuted slightly longer than a century ago, have any idea that near instantaneous global communication would be available in his cars?
That will be the case this year. The manufacturer has announced some of Ford’s 2010 models will have WiFi capability. Passengers will be able to browse the Internet, read emails, talk with friends and family and even shop.
Chrysler, BMW and GM have already announced Internet connectivity in some vehicles, but the Ford system seems to be innovative.
Ford is extending SYNC features to include WiFi. SYNC, an integrated communication system found only in Ford cars, allows the operation of MP3 players, blue-tooth enabled phones and USB drives via voice command.
With the new added feature, you can plug in your USB mobile modem to connect to Verizon or Sprint and the entire car will have WiFi. Current Autonet WiFi other automakers are offering require a monthly subscription.
Ford is also trying to address potential WiFi bandwidth theft via a random password login system.
Ford, which earned 2010 Car of the Year and Truck of the Year honors at the Detroit Auto Show, has not announced details of what 2010 models will include the new WiFi capability.
Article Last Updated: January 11, 2010.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
1 thought on “Ford will join BMW, Chrysler, GM with improved WiFi in 2010 models”