Ford says its all-electric Mustang Mach-E stays up to date all the time thanks to quick and easy over-the-air (OTA) updates that can be done from anywhere, including your home.
According to the Blue Oval, many updates can be completed in under two minutes and many of them are virtually invisible to customers. That’s because they are enabled by a cloud-connected platform that keeps current software running until a new version is ready to go.
Unlike some vehicles that require owners to wait while a software update takes place, Ford claims the Mach-E allows secure updates to download in the background.
What can owners actually update on their 2021 Mustang Mach-E?
Options vary from the mandatory software updates to enhancements of the SYNC communications and entertainment system, as well as upgrades that enhance performance, quality, capability and convenience.
“The beauty of the Mustang Mach-E is that what our customers experience on day one is just the beginning – it will evolve to add even more features and capabilities over time,” said John Vangelov, connected services manager, Ford Motor Company. “Our clever over-the-air updates also minimize downtime through incredibly fast activation and ensure your Mustang Mach-E is always getting better, even when you’re asleep.”
In addition to SYNC updates, nearly all Mustang Mach-E computer modules can be updated wirelessly, allowing Ford to offer performance enhancements and entirely new features that might not exist when customers take delivery of their electric crossover.
Ford expects to roll out its first updates within six months after the first Mustang Mach-E vehicles reach buyers. Owners will receive notifications detailing software updates when they are available. Using either Wi-Fi or cellular connections, the updates can be then applied.
Owners can select a regular time (midnight, for example) for updates while their Mustang Mach-E is parked. Many updates will be completed almost instantly after a customer starts their vehicle, with in-vehicle alerts notifying them of the improvements that have been installed. In the case of more complex updates that might require the vehicle to be parked for longer, customers can schedule them to take place when they find it most convenient.
While the Mustang Mach-E is the first Ford model to get over-the-air updates, it won’t be the last. Starting this year, the Blue Oval will roll out OTA on most redesigned vehicles in the United States.