All About Japan Autos

Daily Auto News

Ford’s factory-installed communications and entertainment system, SYNC, has been a tremendous success since its introduction for the 2008 model year. Standard on some models and available for only $395 on others, it makes hi-tech capabilities affordable for the average buyer.

So it’s no wonder that someone would eventually come up with a SYNC competitor. And that someone is Kia, which has announced it will launch a similar voice-controlled system at January’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Left Lane News explains: “Dubbed UVO, Kia’s system will run off Microsoft’s Windows Automotive Embedded software, the same used in Ford’s Sync system. However, Kia’s version of the infotainment system will have features unique to the Korean automaker.”

There’s no word yet on what those unique features might be. However, the system will come with Bluetooth wireless technology.

Truck Trend sheds light on why it took this long for another automaker to follow in Ford’s footsteps: “Kia’s UVO system comes following the expiration of Ford’s contract of exclusivity with Microsoft on the underlying technology.”

With that contract up for grabs, Kia may not be the only one to introduce an affordable infotainment system — and that means more choices for car buyers.

Interested in a Ford or Kia? Check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals.