Ford CEO Alan Mulally to deliver opening keynote at 2010 CES

Next January, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will make a return trip to Las Vegas to deliver a keynote address to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Gary Shapiro, president of the Consumer Electronics Association and (apparently) the 16th most influential person in the tech industry, made the announcement at Ford's Dearborn Development Center.

This marks the third year in a row that a Detroit CEO keynotes the world's biggest gadget and gear show. Former GM CEO Rick Wagoner spoke at the 2008 show with Mulally taking the podium in 2009. However, 2010 marks the first time someone from the auto industry delivers the opening address. Mulally will speak at 8:30am on January 7, 2010 at the Hilton theater and he will apparently announce some new features for Ford's popular Sync system. Get all the details in the press release below the fold.

[Source: Ford]



press release

FORD'S ALAN MULALLY KICKS OFF 2010 INTERNATIONAL CES WITH OPENING DAY KEYNOTE ADDRESS


Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2010 CES in Las Vegas at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in the Hilton Theater
Mulally expected to unveil Ford's latest innovations and announce new initiatives related to Ford's industry-leading, voice-activated SYNC® communications technology


DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company announced today that Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2010 International CES® in Las Vegas on Jan. 7 at 8:30 a.m. PST. As part of his remarks, Mulally will reveal Ford's latest innovations and announce new technology developments related to Ford's popular, voice-activated SYNC technology.

"Ford continues to lead by bringing together the automobile and consumer electronics industries," said Mulally, who also headlined at 2009 International CES. "With the introduction of SYNC, we enabled our technology partners to allow consumers to use their mobile devices through the automobile in a safer way. At CES, we will show how Ford vehicles will become docking stations for mobile devices, thanks to our alliances with key technology players, and we will demonstrate how voice activation will be the key technology for future in-car experiences."

Ford has made one of the remaining "un-wired" places – the automobile – a connected destination for mobile devices.
Ford SYNC has enabled an interaction that consumers have come to expect from every other aspect of their lives – their televisions, personal computers and mobile devices – all while helping reduce driver distraction. Ford has applied best practices from the technology and telecommunications industries, moving from hardware- to software-based platforms and bringing to market new innovations and applications for vehicle buyers at unprecedented speeds and rates.

"Alan Mulally has positioned Ford as a leading innovator in the automotive industry, and we are pleased to welcome him back to CES," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association, the producer of the International CES. "For the auto industry and all other businesses that use technology, CES is the single must-attend event where business gets done."

CES is the world's largest consumer technology trade show and takes place Jan. 7-10, 2010.


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