FordPass Connect confirmed on Everest and EcoSport
Ford has confirmed the local availability of its innovative FordPass Connect system, which is now fitted as standard equipment across the Ford Everest sport utility vehicle (SUV) range, as well as on Trend and Titanium derivatives of the EcoSport compact SUV.
FordPass Connect, which incorporates an embedded factory-fitted modem in the vehicle, allows customers to access and control numerous vehicle features, information and services remotely via the FordPass app on their smartphone. It provides a unique level of connectivity that significantly enhances the overall ownership experience – whether it’s starting the car remotely to cool down the cabin on a hot summer’s day before driving, scheduling a remote start at a specific time each day for leaving work, checking that the doors are locked from anywhere in the
FordPass Connect incorporates an embedded factory-fitted modem in the vehicle allowing customers to access and control numerous vehicle features, information and services remotely via the FordPass app on their smartphone. world, or locating the vehicle in a busy parking lot.
Further vehicle information is available on the FordPass app if the vehicle is fitted with the SYNC infotainment system, which uses Bluetooth connectivity. Owners can access useful information such as the current odometer reading, fuel level and distance to empty, as well as the tyre pressures on vehicles fitted with the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
The innovative FordPass app also enables useful functionality on 2017 and later model year Ford vehicles directly from the owner’s smartphone once the vehicle identification number (VIN) is loaded. This includes accessing the vehicle’s maintenance records and scheduling a service at your preferred Ford dealer or instantly dialling Ford’s 24-hour Roadside Assistance.
“We launched FordPass
Connect in South Africa in February this year on the Ranger, and it has been exceptionally well received by our customers,” said Doreen Mashinini, General Manager for Marketing at Ford South Africa. “We are delighted to now expand the system to a broader range of Ford customers purchasing new Everest and EcoSport models”.
“FordPass Connect is a fantastic, extremely useful feature that adds great practical value to the overall ownership experience,” Mashinini said. “After using FordPass you will wonder how you managed without it, as it forever changes the way customers interact with their vehicles, as well as with Ford dealers and customer support services which are now all at your fingertips, wherever you are”.
Through the FordPass app, which is free to download from the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play Store for Android, customers can command and control various vehicle functions remotely once the app has been paired with their Everest, EcoSport (Trend and Titanium derivatives) or Ranger (on all but the Base models). The pairing process is completely secure, and can only be completed simultaneously via the owner’s smartphone and the vehicle’s SYNC® infotainment screen. Multiple users can be added, making it a useful tool for family members, in particular.
The app communicates via the internet with the FordPass Connect modem that is embedded within the vehicle, regardless of where they are – as long as both the smartphone and the vehicle have internet connectivity, with no associated data costs for the embedded modem for the life of the vehicle. The customer carries the costs of smartphone data for the various command, control and information functions.
The system performs seamless over-the-air updates for the FordPass Connect modem software for subsequent feature enhancements too.
The command and control functionality provided by FordPass Connect makes it possible to remotely lock and unlock the doors, or start the engine (automatic derivatives only) immediately or at a scheduled time to activate the climate control system.
To maintain vehicle security, the system automatically locks the car’s doors if the engine is started via the FordPass app. In the case of attempted theft, the vehicle’s alarm will be activated and the engine will shut down. Should a door be open when attempting to lock the doors or do a remote start, the owner will receive a “door ajar” notification on the app. FordPass Connect also allows the owner to pinpoint the vehicle’s location.