car technology | Lamarque Ford

Ford Introduces Autolivery Concept

March 13, 2017 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

For Ford, it looks like the future may come sooner than we think. At the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, the motor company debuted a demo reel of a self-delivery system of vans and drones that they refer to as “Autolivery.”

Autolivery works with a combination of self-delivering vans and drones on call through an exclusive app. Through the app, a user can place an order for anything ranging from groceries to medical supplies. A van programmed by the app will drive to the location of the user while a drone will assist delivery by reaching areas up to thirty floors high. Rather than waste time or energy sitting in traffic, this new concept can provide all the necessities straight to the door at the lift of a finger.

In addition to the convenience, Ford also hopes to living standards with the use of automated services. By adding this delivery to the market, the company can contribute to less air pollution caused by excessive driving for groceries and other items. Drones will be able to deliver much needed medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas.

While the Autolivery experience is still ways away from being a reality, Ford is confident of their innovation. Ken Washington, Vice President of Research and Advanced Engineering, states, “Ford has at its heart a culture of disruption and innovation designed to come up with solutions that put people first to save them time, money and aggravation, and also to make our cities easier to navigate and better to live in.” It is safe to say that Ford plans to stay ahead of the curve in automation.

Shanghai-based Ford designers Euishik Bang, James Kuo, and Chelsia Lau designed the automation system for the goal of benefiting urban areas. Along with other developing concepts, Ford expects to have fully autonomous vehicles on the market by 2021.

If you are looking to purchase a new, used or certified pre-owned Ford vehicle, contact Lamarque Ford today!

Smart Phone + Smart Car = GENIUS ALERT

January 21, 2016 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Ford is expanding its SYNC® connectivity system, adding Apple CarPlay, Android Auto™, 4G LTE and several new AppLink™ apps to help millions of consumers stay connected behind the wheel and even when they are away from their cars.

“SYNC allows customers to bring the smartphone technology they’re comfortable with into a vehicle and use it without hassle,” said Don Butler, Ford executive director, Connected Vehicle and Services. “With SYNC, we move at our customers’ pace – making it easy for them to maintain a connected lifestyle no matter their choice of smartphone, apps or services inside and outside their vehicle.”

With more than 15 million SYNC-equipped vehicles on roads around the world today and 43 million expected by 2020, Ford’s industry-leading communications and entertainment technology is offering customers even more connectivity. Connectivity is one part of Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 5 and later models. It works by plugging in the iPhone via USB, then the CarPlay interface appears on the touch screen. Apple CarPlay features Siri voice control, and seamlessly integrates an iPhone with the car’s built-in display and controls.

The integration makes it easy to make phone calls, access music, send and receive messages, get directions optimized for traffic conditions and other features – all while keeping your eyes on the road.

Android Auto
Users of Android devices 5.0 and higher can bring their smartphone experience into their vehicle safely and easily. Convenient information, including Google Maps, Google Play Music and apps are projected onto the SYNC screen, offering seamless integration of the smartphone into the car. Google voice search answers any questions customers may have also while on the road.

SYNC: Nearly a decade of connectivity leadership
Ford SYNC is the world’s leading in-car entertainment and communications system, with more than 15 million vehicles on the road worldwide.

Launched in 2007, Ford SYNC was the industry’s first system to widely and most affordably offer voice-activated technology to control smartphones. The latest-generation system – SYNC 3 – features all-new hardware and software for faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a smartphone-like touch screen, and easier-to-understand graphical interface for a growing number of Ford vehicles in North America.

MIT’s Car-to-Car Communication System | Lamarque Ford

February 13, 2015 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

For the past few years there’s been a lot of talk about driverless cars, and while that is some impressive technology, is still decades away form being realistic. Car-to-car communication, on the other hand, will be deployed in the next two years and promises to make roads safer.

MIT researchers have been testing car-to-car technology, which allows cars to broadcast information to to other vehicles around it. Why is this important? When your vehicle can communicate parameters like speed, brake status, steering wheel position and more, other cars can use this information to build a model of what’s going on around them. We’re not talking just about blind spots, we’re talking about cars being able to “see” through walls, hedges, and just about any large obstacle. Once this information is processed by the vehicle, it then alerts the driver to take action.

While vehicles today are equipped with ultrasonic sensors and cameras, they are nearsighted and are very limited. Car-to-car communications could have an immediate impact on road safety, but it requires most cars on the road to have it.

Researchers behind this project admit is not easy to create a vehicle-to-vehicle network, as on-board computers need to process hundreds of messages from other cars, up to ten times per second. However, once the technology is fully implemented, it can prevent over 500,000 accidents and thousands of fatalities.

The good news is that the U.S. Department of Transportation is already drafting rules to allow this technology, which is a healthy sign for the industry moving forward.

To learn more about this technology visit MIT’s own Technology Review.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

Ford and Automatic Bring Siri To Cars | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

September 15, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

As in-car technology advances, not only can we control vehicle functions from our home, but we can now control our home components from our car. The Ford Motor Company is excited to announce the collaboration with Automatic Labs, manufacturer of the smart phone mobile driving assistant app. The acquisition will introduce Siri and an app called IFTTT, to affiliated vehicles both old and new.

Automatic Labs, a San Francisco based company, prides itself in creating an app and accessory that allocates automobile technology of the future to older cars. The accessory connects to a car’s data port, and makes available vital information that gives the driver feedback and score, to help them become more consistent in braking, accelerating and cruising. It also records driver history, MPG, and keeps track of gas prices. The app has a crash alert feature that alerts loved ones and emergency services in the event of an accident and it has a do not disturb feature which silences the user’s phone in route. The app also retrieves check engine codes and presents a list of nearby mechanics. It is used to help drivers remember where they parked and even assists in road trip mapping, visualization and expense tracking.

With Automatic Labs newly formed relationship with Ford, however, the technology is taking user experience to a whole new level. Siri integration allows Lincoln and Ford drivers to access all the familiar personal assistant commands through a push-to-talk button located on the steering wheel. This enhances safety and driver experience by allowing one to surf the web, send a text message, launch music playlists, respond to email or make calls, all while keeping both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.

Connectivity with IFTTT, an app which name is short for If This Than That, allows users to create conditional commands between services and devices. Users can program IFTTT to pull information from different sources and create what the app calls a “recipe.” Each recipe contains a trigger and then an action. For example, a user can program their vehicle with the trigger of pulling into driveway and then the action of alerting friends and family that they have arrived to their destination safely. Another example is to signal the vehicle that you are driving home and your thermostat in your house will automatically adjust itself to preferred climate.

According to sources, the app will be introduced at $99.95, and it will roll-out as an iOS 8 only app, grandfathering Ford and Lincoln models 2011 and newer. The app will reportedly be available online in October or November of 2014.

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How To Drive More Efficiently | Lamarque Ford | Metairie, Kenner, New Orleans

April 30, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

While the primary focus of today’s automobile industry is their fuel consumption and efficiency, there are factors that go beyond the car itself that can reduce fuel consumption. Yes, having a new car with high mpg rating is a great way to reduce green house gases and save you money on the long run, but there are several steps drivers can take that can have a similar or greater impact when done properly. Let’s take a look at the ways in which modifying your driving habits can help both your pocket and the environment.

Reduce Your Speed
Most vehicles operate at their maximum efficiency peak at around 50 mph. This means the faster you drive over such speed, the worse your mpg average will get. Since all engines vary slightly, be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the optimal fuel saving speed.

Drive Carefully
Sudden acceleration and breaking can negatively affect your gas mileage. Remember to accelerate slowly and smoothly after a full stop. Most rapid increases on speed are unnecessary and will cost you.

Avoid Excess Weight
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weight affects mainly small vehicles and excess of as little as 100 lb can have a 2% decrease in your mpgs. Avoid hoarding in your vehicle as it will take only a few items to bring your fuel efficiency down.

The Right Tires
Tires are a significant factor in fuel economy, as they provide support and interact with your vehicle at all times. Everything from the type of tire, alignment and inflation are directly related to your fuel tank, as it can affect up to 30% of your fuel efficiency. Consult your owner’s manual to find the adequate tire pressure and alignment intervals.

The Effect Of Maintenance
Lastly, keeping your car in good shape will not only better your fuel economy, but it will keep your car running longer. Be sure to keep a maintenance log and timely perform oil, gasoline and air filter changes, along with tune-ups and spark-plug cleaning as your vehicles requires it.

Stay tuned for other tips on how to make the most out of your new or used car.

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Lamarque Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in New Orleans, LA. Located in Kenner, LA, Lamarque Ford is committed to providing you the best customer service and vehicle service for the life of your vehicle. Whether you’re on the market to purchase, finance, or service a new or used Ford vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.

The Case Against Self Driving Cars | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner

April 29, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

Last week we reviewed the prospective benefits of a driverless car future, where computers and other sensors take charge and all we do is sit back and enjoy the ride. But there are concerns over privacy issues and hackers hijacking overly-computerized cars. Today we will evaluate the risks and other concerns over autonomous cars.

Liability
It’s already complicated enough in today’s world to determine who’s at fault in an automobile accident. Not only are the drivers involved, but other factors such as mechanical malfunctions, inclement weather and so forth. Can you imagine a collision involving a self driving car? Who would be liable? The car company? The software maker? This is a serious questions that would have to be answered before this technology becomes mainstream.

Security
Today, our concerns over car security mainly refer to unintended individuals getting physical access to our vehicle. We all fear our beloved cars being stolen or broken in, and we have some security devices in place to minimize these situations. However, driverless cars continuously broadcast their locations and have sensors that communicate back and forth with other cars, servers and their users. Security researchers have already hacked into vehicles computers using the OBD port (the one used for car diagnostics) and using cellular networks.

Legality
As always, our laws are the last elements of society to catch up with technology. Because of the fast paced nature of computer innovations, early regulations may have unintended consequences that may benefit or affect future developments. As of today, only a few states allow us to test autonomous cars in open roads, and the ones that do, require a human to be ready to take control of the car, which kills the whole purpose of it.

These concerns are just scratching the surface of what might come in the near future. Unsurprisingly, we won’t know the real risks until we put these things on the roads in great numbers. By then, hopefully the laws will me more relaxed and allow this technology to propagate faster. Keep your local dealership in mind when the time comes to purchase your self driving car!

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Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Tech Redefines Electric Car | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans

March 25, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

It’s been over a hundred years since the introduction of the automobile, and although our cars are smarter than ever, they still share a lot of technologies with their predecessors. Most cars today, as they did in the early 1900’s, rely on fossil fuels to operate gas engines and diesel engines, and the ones that don’t, still require some sort of human input to re-charge.

We’re always hopeful for a leap into the future – things like self-driving or flying cars, teleporting vehicles; figments of someone else’s imagination popularized by science fiction. What if we take fueling, the one trait cars have shared for decades, out of the equation? New innovative car technology is letting us do just that.

The Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept is a glimpse of the future. Yes, it does require you to fill-up at the gas station, but unlike plug-in hybrid cars, you’ll never have to plug to an external power source like ordinary electric cars. That’s because the C-MAX’s roof is a giant solar panel, and it constantly recharges the batteries that power the electric car’s engine. This is a big deal when you consider this is free, clean, 100% renewable energy over using fossil fuels for gas and diesel engines.

To make this possible, Ford partnered with Georgia Institute of Technology, home to some of the nation’s highest regarded experts in the solar field. This will allow Ford to thoroughly test the C-MAX and get the feedback they need when this solar powered, electric hybrid car goes into production. Ford also partnered with SunPower, which provides the top of the line solar panels used in the C-MAX Solar.

We’re hoping to see this new generation of self-sustainable at Ford dealerships in the near future, when fueling becomes a thing of the past. In the meantime, we can watch this technology grow and expect to see more competition in the solar field.

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Flagship Cars | Lamarque Ford | New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie

March 19, 2014 By Matthew Hritz Leave a Comment

For years, car manufacturers have tried to differentiate themselves from their competition. Flagship cars, namely the Shelbys, Camaros and Corvettes of the world, serve as an appealing image that attracts new buyers to those brands. At first glance, flagship cars are all about speed, sex appeal and youthfulness, traits car brands use to connect at an emotional level with potential customers. But there’s more to it.

This phenomenon is known in psychology as the halo effect, hence ‘halo cars’, and is nothing but our perceptual generalization of attributes. In other words, consumers associate these glorified vehicles with the brand as a whole, thus buying into aspirational goals. The halo effect is present in every industry and applies to products and services alike.

Halo or flagship cars are often criticized for luring buyers into the dealership, which then end up buying affordable options with lower quality standards. However, quite the opposite is true. Halo cars have a tremendous positive effect on brand recognition and new technology development, which bring in better options for consumers in the long run. Let’s explore the benefits cars like the Shelby 500 bring to the table.

As you may have guessed, flagship cars have bigger development budgets than their entry level counterparts. This allows for designers and engineers to explore new manufacturing techniques and materials. For instance, The Ford Motor Company just developed a new prototyping process for their concept cars, which could eventually be used for mass production; the 2007 Lexus LS 406 required Toyota to create the world’s strongest stamping press; countless of today’s in-car technologies were first introduced in high end vehicles, then trickled down to affordable ones.

From a marketing perspective, the halo car gives brands the opportunity to show off their latest innovations. It also gives consumers better visibility in terms of what’s coming in the following years. If we take a car like the next generation Ford Expedition, which features blind spot assist and rear view cameras, we can then assume such technology will be available in coming entry level vehicles.

Racing cars make an excellent ‘halo car’ example. As car manufacturers push technology to the limit, we get to see our everyday sedans in action. Nascar teams use modified versions of Camrys, Fusions and Impalas to show off the engines; Subarus and Minis compete in rally races to show off their steering and suspensions. This again, brings consumers closer to the brand and allows for a more honest relationship.

So don’t forget to stop by your local dealership and experience the latest technology available today.

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