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Transportation equipment industry

Ford to Offer Innovative TravelNote Digital Voice Recorder with HomeLink in 1999 Models

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a bid to enhance driver convenience, Ford Motor Company will be the first automaker to offer TravelNote, a digital voice recorder built into the driver's sun visor, in conjunction with the popular HomeLink Universal Transceiver system. This innovative feature will be available as an option in the 1999 Mercury Villager and Mountaineer, as well as the Ford Explorer. TravelNote will provide drivers with a simple and convenient way to record up to three minutes of audio, with features like record, play, and delete buttons. This technology is poised to revolutionize the way drivers manage their time while on the road.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ford Motor Company will be the first automaker to offer TravelNote, a digital voice recorder built into the driver's sun visor, in conjunction with HomeLink.
  • TravelNote will be available as an option in the 1999 Mercury Villager and Mountaineer, as well as the Ford Explorer.
  • The device has three buttons: record, play, and delete, and provides up to three minutes of record/play time.
  • HomeLink is a programmable electronic communication system capable of controlling various home convenience and safety devices.
  • TravelNote is designed to help drivers record important information, such as phone numbers, directions, and ideas, without having to stop and write them down.
  • Johnson Controls, the manufacturer of TravelNote, sees potential uses for the device in recording cell phone numbers, directions, and to-do lists.
  • The Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls is one of the world's largest suppliers of vehicle interior systems, with sales of over $8 billion in 1997.
  • The company's worldwide operations will supply interior products for over 22 million vehicles in 1998.

Statistics:

  • Ford Motor Company will offer TravelNote and HomeLink in the 1999 Mercury Villager, Mountaineer, and Ford Explorer.
  • TravelNote has up to three minutes of record/play time.
  • HomeLink is installed in over 3.5 million vehicles on the road.
  • Johnson Controls had sales of $11.1 billion in 1997.
  • The Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls employs over 54,500 people at 215 facilities worldwide.
  • In 1998, the company's worldwide operations will supply interior products for over 22 million vehicles.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire - Ford Motor Company to Offer TravelNote with HomeLink in 1999 Models.
  • Johnson Controls - Johnson Controls, Inc., with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
  • Automotive Systems Group of Johnson Controls - one of the world's largest suppliers of vehicle interior systems.

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