Kia Uvo Syncs To Ford's Level

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Amid the cries of shock around the blogosphere at the sudden death of the Kia Borrego, another tidbit of more consequential Kia news remains undercovered. And it’s actually bigger Ford news than anything else. Ford had deal with Microsoft for exclusive access to the technology underlying its Sync system. But with Ford’s 18 month term of exclusivity expired, Kia is set to formally announce its Sync-alike at next Tuesday’s International Consumer Electronics Show. Shooting for the middle ground between Ford’s apt “Sync” brand name and Fiat’s asinine “Blue&Me” moniker, Kia has called the system “Uvo” (Short for “Your Voice,” believe it or not).

It’s no surprise to see Microsoft’s technology appearing in Korean cars, but the fact that Hyundai group is gracing its Kia brand with the technology is a bit unexpected. According to Automotive News [sub], no plans have been announced for Uvo to appear in Hyundai-branded cars. By placing a technology that Ford swears has saved its sales bacon in cars branded with its value marque, Hyundai is going for Ford’s value-proposition jugular. Sure, Microsoft and Kia insist that Uvo will be distinct from Sync, but the differences are likely to be cosmetic at best. Uvo will debut sometime in 2010 on “an unnamed Kia vehicle,” probably the Amanti-replacing Cadenza, which is rumored to launch later next year. Here’s hoping Kia markets Uvo as an entertainment system, instead of spuriously pushing it as a “safety feature.”

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Jnik Jnik on Dec 31, 2009

    Too bad it won't be in Hyundai - branded cars; it would make the new Sonata unbeatable.

  • Dimwit Dimwit on Jan 01, 2010

    Sync is huge and will help Kia as well. I'm surprised that they're so shy with Hyundai. In Ontario, mandated hands free has pushed Sync to the forefront and made things like OnStar look antiquated. I'm amazed that Mazda didn't get there first.

  • KalapanaBlack KalapanaBlack on Jan 01, 2010

    "Cadenza?" Seriously? Hyundai-Kia is on a roll lately, but really, that name is terrible. Shame that it's such a handsome-looking (albeit blandish) car. Just makes me think of "credenza." Yes, I'd like to drive a boxy cabinet made for the side of a hallway...

  • Whuffo2 Whuffo2 on Jan 02, 2010

    I don't know - when I think of Microsoft Windows I think of crashing. I don't think I want any part of their products in my cars.

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