Asking for Microsoft

So this is actually a true story. My wife and I have been shopping for a new car. She has decided on a 2009 Murano. Then it gets down right strange.

I went to the dealership to drop off my car for an appraisal. While I was there a man came in and a salesman went to help him. He then promptly asked did they have the Microsoft SYNC technology in there cars. Wow! I have never been in a phone store and never heard a customer come in and ask for a phone powered by Microsoft. But here was a man asking for Microsoft at a car dealership. Unfortunately for Nissan they don't have it. And the customer left. Never in my wildest imagination did I think that a Microsoft technology would be a deal breaker for a car.

And apparently he is not alone. According to Ford they sell twice as many cars with SYNC than without it. Customers just love the new way to operate their phone, music and MP3 player. It even can use Bluetooth and display information about your phone in addition to initiating calls and texting if it is the right kind. And with a slowing economy being able to differentiate your car based on features rather than price could help Ford prop up sales.

Kudos to the Microsoft Automotive group. SYNC could turn out to be a little known hit product for Microsoft just like Windows Embedded Point of Sales.

Comments

[Neo]

SYNC is pretty cool. If I had the money to spend on nice cars (I don't sadly!) I would opt for a car that had features like this. I think you're right that this kind of thing will define dealership's performance in the current economic climate.