1-10-2012
Yesterday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Ford's Jim Buczkowski told Radio Ink that over 3 million vehicles are now on the road with SYNC installed and to compete for the attention of the consumer, radio has to stay focused on producing quality content. "Customers have so many choices. Radio should worry less about technology, as streaming becomes ubiquitous, it's about content. Consumers will be able to get the same content through an internet connection they are now getting via the antennas in local areas. Content is most important. Especially local content, from places I like or places I used to live where I liked the local personalities. That's what it continues to be about in radio." Buczkowski said iHeartradio was a great example of providing the kind of content Ford is looking for.
Buczkowski also touted HD Radio. "It's so important because of its connection to local radio. Whatever Sirius can do for national audiences, HD can do for local audiences. I keep reminding people it's a way to enjoy their local personalities. Being able to offer that with a much better, higher quality signal is what HD radio is all about" And, he said the future of the dashboard will include connectivity to the cloud. "Not only for entertainment but for personalization services, to make your ride safer and more efficient. A vehicle connected to the cloud transferring information back and forth is where we see the future. It's about creating a better experience for their customers in a safer way inside the vehicle."
Buczkowski is a Henry Ford Technical Fellow and director of Electrical and Electronics Systems responsible for electronics.
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