Ford states that it is aiming “to do for car owners what iTunes did for music fans” with its new FordPass platform.
FordPass will be free to both Ford and non-Ford owners, incorporating a number of different features, including a marketplace offering mobility services and FordGuides, personal mobility assistants.
Ford states that is working with ParkWhiz and Parkopedia to help people find and pay for parking more easily, and with FlightCar to borrow and share vehicles when they travel.
“In the future, services will include ride sharing, car sharing, multimodal transportation and more,” Ford states.
Members will be able to use FordPay, a virtual wallet, to pay for these services.
Members who own Ford vehicles equipped with Sync Connect will additionally be able to use FordPass to access vehicle features such as remote start, lock and unlock, fuel, oil and battery charge levels, tire pressure readings, and to locate their vehicle.
Meanwhile, FordPass members will be able to speak directly with FordGuides free of charge.
“For example, if a member decides he would like to book advance parking for an upcoming show but is unsure how to reserve it, one push of a button on his smartphone lands him in a live chat with a FordGuide who will lead him through the options and help to reserve parking,” Ford states.
FordPass will also include the opening of FordHubs, with the first to open later this year in New York, followed by San Francisco, London and Shanghai.
“On-site FordGuides will help guests understand mobility options available in their cities, explore solutions for their mobility needs, view a real-time mobility map of their city, and experience special events, including new vehicle reveals,” Ford states of the FordHubs.
FordPass will launch in spring in the United States and Canada, followed by other markets including Europe, China and Brazil later in the year.
