Ford announced on Monday that starting with certain 2024 models, the required hardware for its BlueCruise automated highway driving assistance system will become a standard inclusion in new vehicles.
The feature can be accessed by customers through a subscription service on demand. Additionally, customers will have the option to try it during complementary trial periods, after which they will have to choose between monthly or yearly subscriptions.
An overview of the Ford Mustang Mach-E
The BlueCruise subscription will be offered at a rate of $75 for the monthly package or $800 for the annual package. An alternative option will be a three-year BlueCruise access available for $2,100 at the time of ordering the vehicle.
Customers are not bound by a minimum subscription length, allowing them the flexibility to activate the service for a single month for specific needs such as a road trip, without the obligation to continue the subscription.
This new initiative adds versatility for Ford’s customers, contrasting the current requirement to decide on adding the BlueCruise hardware at the time of vehicle purchase. Once the vehicle leaves the factory, retrofitting the hardware is not an option.
Ford has set a target to equip 500,000 2024 models with BlueCruise hardware in North America, covering both Ford and Lincoln brands. The version of BlueCruise for Lincoln had earlier been referred to as ActiveGlide.
BlueCruise is positioned at Level 2 in the SAE’s self-driving capability scale, necessitating continuous road monitoring by the driver. Other similar Level 2 systems include General Motors’ Super Cruise and Tesla’s Autopilot with Full Self Driving. Mercedes-Benz has a Level 3 system, Drive Pilot, allowing drivers more freedom but is only available in selected parts of the world.
Currently at version 1.2, BlueCruise is capable of executing lane changes upon driver instruction and can suggest lane changes in slow traffic. Ford revealed on Monday that version 1.3 is to be released soon, specifically tailored for highways, with enhanced performance in navigating curves or narrow lanes.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword BlueCruise
What is Ford’s BlueCruise, and on which models will it be standard?
BlueCruise is an automated highway driver-assist system by Ford. Starting with certain 2024 models, Ford will make the BlueCruise hardware a standard feature on new vehicles.
How can customers access BlueCruise once it’s standard on new vehicles?
Customers can access BlueCruise on demand via a subscription. There are options for monthly or annual subscriptions, with prices starting at $75 for the monthly plan and $800 for the annual plan. Complementary trial periods will also be available.
Can the BlueCruise hardware be added to a vehicle after purchase?
No, the BlueCruise hardware can’t be retrofitted after the vehicle has left the factory. The decision to include the hardware must be made at the time of vehicle ordering.
What are the subscription options for BlueCruise, and is there a minimum length?
BlueCruise subscriptions are priced at $75 for the monthly plan or $800 for the annual plan, with a three-year access option for $2,100. There is no minimum length for the subscriptions, allowing customers to activate the service for as short as one month.
What level of self-driving capability does BlueCruise offer?
BlueCruise is ranked at Level 2 on the SAE scale of self-driving capability. This means that it requires the driver to monitor the roads at all times.
What is new in the upcoming BlueCruise version 1.3?
Version 1.3 of BlueCruise, coming out soon, will still be designed for highways only but will have improved performance when navigating curves or narrow lanes.
More about fokus keyword BlueCruise
- Ford’s Official Announcement on BlueCruise
- SAE International’s Levels of Driving Automation
- BlueCruise Overview on Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Comparison of Level 2 Automated Driving Systems
5 comments
Version 1.3 sounds cool, specially the improvements in navigating curves. But how reliable is this system gonna be?
Wow, that’s great news! Ford’s stepping up their game with this BlueCruise tech. Cant wait to see it in action.
What about older models? Seems unfair to leave us out. I wish they could retrofit the hardware somehow.
Is it just me or is $75 a month kind of steep? i mean, if it’s a luxury feature, fine, but still…
Good on Ford for embracing more automation! But, what’s the impact on fuel efficiency and the envirnoment? Anybody knows?