Small car, big sound: Ford shoehorns Sony system into 2012 Focus

November 18, 2010 By Molly McHugh

Ford's upcoming 2012 Focus will boast a state-of-the-art, 355-watt sound system on par with the offerings typically found in its much larger cars, bringing a new listening experience to small-car drivers in early 2011.

Tiny cars don’t have to have tinny sound. Not all of them, anyway. The 2012 Ford Focus will be the first small car from the manufacturer to feature a custom-designed, 355-watt sound system from Sony. In a company press release, Ford described the eight-inch screen’s user interface as comparable to Sony home audio systems, and it will work with Ford Sync and MyFord Touch technology. Voice command and steering wheel controls are built in, as well.

One of the most innovative features Sony will bring to the Focus’ sound system is iTunes Tagging. The MyFord touch screen displays a “Tag” icon, which you can press to find iTunes information about a given song. That is then transferred to your iPod when connected to Sync. Once synced to iTunes, your tagged playlist is available and you can browse and purchase the songs you originally tagged. Anyone who has tried in vain to remember the name or lyric to a song you heard the last 10 seconds of can appreciate that.

Naturally, Sony and Ford are also emphasizing the sound quality from the system. Besides the typical HD radio upgrade, Ford claims “FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts…digital broadcasts are less susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.”

The Ford-Sony relationship is going on 10 years now, and extending its reach to the company’s most popular small car lineup is a smart move. Allowing a new segment of Ford consumers to experience what Sony has to offer is in Ford’s best interest, what with the vehicle being a major source of revenue for the company. Car Magazine reports that chief engineer Jim Hughes recently claimed that, “The Ford Focus represents our best option for profitable growth.”

Although it’s not an electric car, Ford could see some competition from them. Models like the Nissan Leaf are starting to make headway with drivers, but it seems like consumers aren’t quite ready to take the gas-free leap yet and the Focus’s high fuel economy may seem like a comfortable compromise. The 2010 Ford Focus should be available in early 2011.

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HDRadioFarce at 4:56pm 18th November 2010 "HD Car Radio Investigation"____"Consumer statutes and laws protect the purchasers of products such as HD car radios. A party may be legally liable for statements, omissions or misrepresentations of material facts that should have been know to be false or misleading and promoted the sale of the product. Such laws protect innocent consumers from unlawful and deceptive practices. The victims of questionable business practices by parties such automobile manufacturers are the consumers who purchase or lease cars with HD car radios at significantly increased costs when these devices fail to function as they are represented to work. As news develops and the investigation proceeds, Keefe Bartels, LLC will carefully monitor events and research all relevant laws."___ _http://www.keefebartels.com/CM/Custom/HD-Car-Radio-Investigation.asp____As an iBiquity investor, Ford must know about the Keefe/Wolf investigation into HD Radio. Ford must also realize HD Radio doesn't work properly, as there have been many consumer complaints and bring-backs of HD Radio equipped autos to dealerships. Ford dealerships deny knowledge of HD Radio and do not advertise it to consumers, but are being forced by corporate to include it.
ore masta at 12:54pm 18th November 2010 tinny sound :>