Ford to upgrade, extend warranty on touch-screen system

LOS ANGELES  (REUTERS) - Ford Motor Co, the second-largest United States (US) automaker, will upgrade its touch-screen entertainment and navigation system beginning next month as well as extend the warranty on the software by two years, a top executive said on Wednesday.

The MyFord Touch system has been criticised by analysts and users as too complicated, and analysts say these features are highly valued by prospective buyers. Ford has improved the voice recognition and navigation in what it calls "version 3.5" of the software, said Mr Mark Fields, Ford's head of the Americas.

"We're thinking more and more like not only a car company, but a technology company," Mr Fields said during a roundtable with reporters during the Los Angeles Auto Show.

On Dec 10, Ford will send out the upgrade to vehicle owners who do not have navigation, Ford spokesman Alan Hall said.