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DEARBORN, Mich., and DETROIT — Ford and General Motors each recently announced Google Maps is being integrated into their vehicles' two popular navigation technology platforms.

Available later this month on Ford units equipped with the "Send to SYNC" feature, drivers who already use SYNC with Traffic, Directions & Information can select a destination on Google Maps and send it to their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicles.

Ford explained the whole process begins when users visit Google Maps to find desired locations. Then, they have the option to send a selected destination to their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle via a send menu on the site.

Once in the vehicle, the driver connects to SYNC TDI using the "Services" voice command, and when prompted confirms the request to download the Google Maps destination into the vehicle.

The automaker emphasized the optimal route is calculated using the latest traffic information, downloaded to the vehicle and navigation guidance begins.

If the vehicle is equipped with a map-based navigation system, Ford noted the destination point is downloaded directly to that system, which then calculates the route based on the in-vehicle navigation preferences set by the driver.

"Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age," asserted Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization.

"With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work — wherever you have connectivity — and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go," VanDagens went on to say. "It's convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road."

The automaker reiterated the SYNC TDI application can leverage a customer's mobile phone voice plan and the vehicle's integrated GPS receiver to deliver location-based services. Ford highlighted possibilities beyond driving directions such as business searches as well as on-demand information like horoscopes, news, movie listings and stock quotes.

Executives also pointed out that since these services, including the new Send to SYNC functionality, are cloud-based, no vehicle updates are required. The platform is available to all owners who have registered for TDI services through www.syncmyride.com.

"Our cloud-based service network is helping deliver constant improvement for our customers, and has become a key reason why Ford leads the industry with SYNC," VanDagens insisted.

"We're proud to be working with Google to bring this new capability to SYNC," he added.

Ford previously announced the same feature for MapQuest, which will launch later this year. The company also believes it's currently the only automaker offering this capability without requiring a paid subscription to a telematics service.

OnStar, Google Partner to Expand Turn-by-Turn Navigation

In another industry development connected to Google Maps, GM executives revealed an agreement that will let OnStar users search for and identify destinations using Google Maps and then be able to send those destinations to the Turn-by-Turn Navigation Service in their vehicles.

The automaker indicated OnStar eNav — a feature of Turn-by-Turn Navigation — will become available through Google Maps at the end of this month. The company also pointed out the Google Maps option will be available on all current Turn-by-Turn-capable GM vehicles starting with the 2006 model year.

Drivers can access the destinations whenever they choose and get OnStar Turn-by-Turn directions to the destination from wherever they are. Furthermore GM executives noted the feature can integrate with OnStar Destination Download to send destinations directly to the vehicle's screen-based navigation system.

This agreement comes on the heels of more collaboration between GM and Google. Officials recounted last month when OnStar and Google demonstrated mobile mapping and location functions for the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle that leverage the Google Android platform.

For the 2011 model year, the automaker indicated OnStar Directions and Connections service is standard on all OnStar-equipped, GM retail vehicles.

GM asserted it's the only manufacturer to offer navigation standard across all price points and all vehicle segments. Since launch, executives tabulated OnStar has delivered more than 54 million Turn-by-Turn Navigation routes, currently averaging more than 1.4 million per month.

Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of new business development, believes this latest development with Google Maps should enhance those performance figures.

"eNav is a perfect solution for subscribers who like the flexibility of being able to use Google Maps to plan their trips in advance, but without the hassle of bringing printed maps into the vehicle," Pudar explained.

"The eNav feature of our Turn-by-Turn service allows drivers to keep their eyes, hands and minds where they need to be — on the road," Pudar went on to highlight. "And if they ever need help on the road, they can always just push the Blue OnStar Button to speak to a live adviser."