From Media.Ford.Com

FORD TEAMS WITH SONY ELECTRONCS FOR AUDIO SYSTEMS IN NORTH AMERICAN VEHICLES

• Ford signs long-term agreement with Sony Electronics for Sony-branded audio systems in Ford and Mercury brand vehicles in North America.
• Move is part of broader strategy at Ford to equip its North American vehicles with clearly identifiable signature technologies.
• Agreement allows Ford and Sony to collaborate on marketing initiatives.

DEARBORN, Mich., March 28– Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] and Sony Electronics today announced they have signed an agreement to offer Sony-branded audio systems across the lineup of Ford and Mercury branded vehicles in North America starting in 2008. The first vehicle to be equipped with Sony-branded audio will be unveiled April 4 at the New York Auto Show.

“We have enjoyed a very successful partnership at Ford of Europe with Sony-branded audio,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of Global Product Development. “Customers tell us that good audio systems are high on their list of priorities. Sony-branded audio and a host of other signature technologies will help differentiate Ford products in the marketplace.”

“Ford and Sony are two of the world’s most well known brands,” said Don Courvisier, vice president and general manager for the Automotive Entertainment Solutions Group at Sony Electronics in the United States and Europe. “This arrangement is a natural fit given our success together in Europe.”
This is the third collaboration between Sony and Ford in North America. Ford and Sony offered a limited-edition Focus Sedan in 2000, outfitted with Sony Xplod® audio equipment. More recently, Ford offered “Sound Designed by Sony” in the Ford Focus in North America.

In Europe, Sony-branded audio systems are offered in the Mondeo, Focus, C-Max, S-Max and Galaxy models.

Strong Brand
Ford signed a long-term agreement with Sony in part because of the strong connection American consumers have with the Sony brand, Kuzak said. Sony continues to rank as the top consumer brand in the United States when consumers were asked to name the brands they consider the best, according to the annual Harris Interactive® consumer brand survey. For the seventh year consecutive year, and the ninth time in the last 11 years, Sony was rated No. 1. The latest survey results were released July 12, 2006.

Part of Broader Electronics Effort at Ford
Offering branded audio with Sony is another example of Ford’s effort to deploy new consumer-driven electronic features in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. In January, Ford and Microsoft announced Ford Sync™, an industry leading, voice-activated in-car communications and entertainment system for mobile phones and digital music players that will be available later this year, and on vehicles equipped with Sony branded audio systems.

Since 2002, the Lincoln brand has offered THX Certified audio systems in its vehicles. THX Certified Car Audio Systems produce sound quality comparable to a THX Certified Home Theater. More recently, Sirius satellite radio became available in most Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. DVD-based satellite navigation systems became available in most vehicles beginning in 2005.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 280,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Aston Martin and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

 

As much as i think it does help to have a good recognizable brand, i really don't like the company Sony.

 

While I have some issues with the Sony company, this is a good move on Ford's part to combat the ubiquitous (& excellent) Bose audio systems available in many competitive brands.

 

Does anyone have any experiences with sony products as far as car audio systems goes? Personally I wonder how well they'll stand up to the competitors

 

I had a Sony MP3 capable head unit in my Integra a few years back. It sounded good and I didn't have any problems with it.

 

Could be a better choice....
Could be WORSE choices....

Thank god no BuyOtherSoundEquipment

 

As long as the sound is better than the current stock equipment, I'm happy


What's wrong with Bose, if you don't mind me asking?

 

my friend has a bose system in his G35.....its unfreakin believeable. I wish my sounded that good

 

as long as there is an "integraded PS3" option...I'll be ok with it!

 

sony has been sucking lately. seems like ford is a decade or two behind.

jbl would have been nice.

 

Ford has a history with JBL. They were an option on SHOs back in the '90s.

 

I have bose speakers in my Maxima... two of them blew!
It couldnt withstand the unrelanting, thundering double bass drums coming from my power metal CD's
Seriously though, they didnt sound too good before they blew... it is a 15 year old car though