Ford Brazil has been undergoing major changes in recent months, beginning with the decision to cease its manufacturing operations in the South American country in January. As a result of that decision, Ford was forced to pay 2.5 billion reais ($495 million USD) to the state of Bahia, and 160 of its dealerships in the country will either close or rebrand. But Ford has lost nearly $12 billion in Brazil over the last 10 years and its sales plummeted 76 percent last month, so change is very much needed. Thus, the automaker is doing that by rolling out FordGo – a new digital subscription car service, revamping its lineup, and now, giving customers an additional free year of FordPass Connect.
Eligible connected vehicles include the 2021-2022 Ford Territory, 2022 Ford Ranger, 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, and 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The owners of those vehicles will benefit from the extension of the FordPass Connect trial period, which was formerly good for one year. Once owners reach the end of the one-year trial period, they will be notified via email and the FordPass app that another 12 months of complimentary access are available.
“Connectivity changes the way the user relates to the vehicle and is a major pillar of Ford’s renewal,” said Ford Product Marketing Manager, Daniel Sinzato. “Therefore, we are investing so that our customers know all its features and stay connected for longer, with an additional year free for the first models integrated into the system.”
The FordPass app is available to download for free for both iPhone and Android phones and offers a number of features including the ability to locate dealerships and gas stations. FordPass Connect can be activated via the app by enabling the connectivity function, and adds a host of additional features including the ability to lock and unlock doors, start the engine remotely, or locate the vehicle.
We’ll have more on FordPass Connect soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
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