Ford plans commuter app, Ford car not required

FordPass could be used by anyone, it offers the most advantages to Ford vehicle owners.

Thirdly, the service – like a supermarket loyalty card – gives you access to what the company is calling FordPass Perks.

About ParkWhiz:Headquartered in Chicago, ParkWhiz is the nation’s largest on-demand parking app. The company’s website and mobile platforms provide a fast and efficient way for drivers to find and book guaranteed parking spaces before reaching their destination at thousands of parking locations across the country, from New York City to Chicago to San Francisco.

Additionally, FordPass will allow members to accumulate rewards from using their services by simply signing up, booking parking, or from interacting with FordGuides.

In April, Ford will launch a smartphone app called FordPass that will help users with parking. Instead, says Ford, there will be special events such as new auto reveals and on a daily basis they’ll be available to help guests understand mobility options such as, perhaps, “What’s the best way to get to Fisherman’s Wharf and do I have to walk from the bus stop?”

Ford Motor Co.is attempting to attract new customers and improve relationships with existing ones with a new app-based platform called FordPass that lets users do things like pay for downtown parking or share their vehicle, the company announced Monday.

Ford is claiming it “aims to do for vehicle owners what iTunes did for music fans”. They have also collaborated with companies such as McDonalds and 7-Eleven to “recognize members with access to merchandise unique experiences”.

FordPass will be free to join, whether you’re a Ford owner or not.

The company also wants this to be able to connect to smart devices in the home for more connectivity, ZDNet notes. Ford is developing a digital wallet to handle purchases if users don’t have other digital wallets such as Apple Pay. In the future, services will include ride sharing, vehicle sharing, multimodal transportation and more.

FordGuides lets passholders speak with “trusted and knowledgeable FordGuides”, or advisors, “at the touch of a button”, to help passholders “solve mobility challenges [but] not to sell”.

MarketplaceAll members will have access to mobility services through FordPass Marketplace.

The automaker is also partnering with FlightCar, which allows traveling customers to park near an airport for free, and while they’re on their trips, FlightCar is allowed to rent out their vehicle to other drivers. The first FordHub launches in 2016 at the Westfield World Trade Center in NY. FordPass will be available first in the USA and Canada, followed by specific European markets as well as China and Brazil.