Honda Yearbooks Ad, Ford SmartLink, Daimler Investments, Omnicraft – RPM News Ep9 S1

Honda Yearbooks Ad, Ford SmartLink, Daimler Investments, Omnicraft – RPM News Ep9 S1

This week, RPM News Weekly goes back to the future with Ford SmartLink technology that brings modern day connectivity to older model Fords, then we head over to Germany, where Daimler announces investment plans for future car technologies.

We’ll conclude with a quick look at the new Omnicraft brand of auto parts launched by Ford Customer Service Division.

But first, RPM News Weekly would be remiss if it didn’t acknowledge the power of the Super Bowl to help shape our view of today’s automobile. That power is reflected in Honda’s “Yearbooks” commercial, which aired during Sunday’s game.

Alongside some of the world’s biggest entertainment and sport stars, the all new 2017 Honda CR-V gets its turn in the spotlight, reminding viewers of “The Power of Dreams” as the popular crossover model turns 20 years old, having evolved into the best-selling SUV in America.

Created and produced for Honda by RPA, an independent advertising agency located in Santa Monica, California, the spot brings to life the high-school yearbook images of celebrities including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Magic Johnson, Stan Lee and Jimmy Kimmel.

Meanwhile, starting this summer, Ford and Lincoln customers who own 2010 to 2016 models can obtain new Ford technology called SmartLink that enables connectivity features previously unavailable on their vehicles.

Using a simple device that plugs into the OBD II port below the steering wheel, customers will be able to start, lock and unlock their vehicles with a smartphone, access a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, get vehicle health and security alerts and find their vehicle if needed.

Developed in collaboration with Delphi Automotive and Verizon Telematics, Ford SmartLink comes with an investment of more than two years of research and development into making the product work seamlessly.

German automaker Daimler has announced some big investment plans to expand its product range as well as ensure that it plays a “leading role in shaping the fundamental technological transformation of the automotive business.”

With stated investments in property, plant and equipment for 2017 and 2018 marked at more than 14 billion Euros, the equivalent of about 15 billion U.S. dollars, as well as 16 billion Euros in research & development, the company that has brought us Mercedes-Benz and Smart automobiles clearly aims to be in a strong position ahead of any industry-wide changes.

Finally, Ford dealerships have a new tool in their box with the launch of Omnicraft, an all-new brand of replacement parts for all makes of non-Ford vehicles.

Starting with 1,500 of the most commonly requested parts such as oil filters, brake pads and rotors, loaded struts, and starters and alternators and eventually growing to 10,000 parts, Omnicraft enables Ford dealerships to sell competitively-priced parts and offer service for all vehicles.