Ford MyKey headed to Australia

FORD is rolling out new key technology in Australia from next month that it says will allow parents to impose restrictions on their teenager’s car.

The MyKey system can cap the car’s maximum radio volume, disable the audio until seatbelts are clipped in and encourage the driver to limit their speed by piping an annoying chime through the cabin until they ease their pace.

The industry-first technology can also remove the driver’s ability to switch off the stability control, and can be programmed to flick the low fuel light on earlier.

The system makes its debut in the $25,990 Fiesta ST hot hatch from September, and will be progressively wheeled out across the Ford range in the years to come.

It works by recognising different keys for the same car, which owners can program through the car’s multimedia system. Theoretically, it means parents can have an ‘unlimited key’, but if their teenager borrows the car, they use a different key with imposed parameters.

Ford announced the system at its multi-million dollar ‘Go Further’ event in Sydney this week, hosted by global president Alan Mulally, which also saw the debut of the Australian-designed Everest SUV and gave us a glimpse at the final Falcon, due in late 2014.

Speaking on MyKey, Ford’s global executive vice president of marketing, sales and service – as well as boss of the Lincoln luxury brand – Jim Farley said the technology was pitched at young drivers who were statistically more likely to be involved in a road incident.

“This is a significant safety feature for young drivers, who are over-represented in crash-related statistics in Australia,” he said.

“MyKey provides some direct parental control over their car. It allows owners to set sensible restrictions for young drivers and delivers piece-of-mind for parents.”

Figures in Australia show that young drivers are over-represented in road accident fatality and injury statistics. One of the leading causes of death among young Australians aged between 15 and 24 years is injury, and transport accidents account for more injury-related deaths than any other cause.

In other Ford technology news, the company has announced it will introduce AppLink in some models from 2014. This infotainment system combines Sync voice control with apps such as Pandora, TuneIn radio and Kaliki.