Phone Contact from the Ford Blue Cruise team

[PrimeRisk]

Tonight I got a call from the Ford Blue Cruise team from the number (888) 898-1969‬.

I Googled the number and it traces back to accounts on X and Facebook that claim that they are the Software Sales support for Ford Telematics Software & Fleet Monitoring Systems. The number also shows up on a few other actual Ford websites. While it's super easy to spoof phone numbers, the person I talked to seemed to be legit.

His specific call was to gain feedback on how I liked my free trial of BlueCruse on my 2024 Lariat. This was my first indication that the call was legit. They knew my name and what vehicle I had. I confirmed that I had used it as much as I could during the 3-month trial. Then he wanted to know if I was aware of the recent price drop on the feature. I confirmed that I was. He asked if I was going to subscribe.

I said no, and I would never consider it. What followed was a volley of different questions about why I found the product to not only be deficient, but dangerous considering it's habit of disengaging at the worst possible time and annoying due to the incessant nagging when clearly looking at the road. He suggested that it was a simple case of needing to have the system calibrated, but I countered that my experiences are very consistent with others on this forum. He was not aware of this site, so I provided the URL.

He was very interested in what version of BlueCruise I was on, so I let him know that I couldn't tell him as there was no way to find that information in the app or in the vehicle menus. I suspected I was on 1.2 or 1.3, but certainly not 1.4, but until Ford saw fit to share this information, I really didn't know. He assured me that 1.4 would be rolled out soon, and I countered that I would be more than willing to try it again once it is actually on the vehicle, but I wouldn't pay to test their software, so they need to consider the Tesla approach of offering free trials to get people hooked. He said he would be able to look at my account to confirm my BC version and would call back within a few days with that information.

Overall, the conversation was positive and he thanked me for the feedback. He asked if I would be interested in participating in a longer conversation with the Ford team, probably lasting 60-90 minutes, in a few weeks. I said I'd be happy to and he said he would reach out again with scheduling.

I am thrilled that Ford is starting to take a look at why subscribership numbers are low. Has anyone else gotten a call from Ford?

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[Pioneer74]

He assured me that 1.4 would be rolled out soon

We heard it here first. Soon.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Sounds legit, let us know how the long form interview goes, I'm curious !!

 

[PrimeRisk]

We heard it here first. Soon.

Yes, the sun will burn out "soon" too.

 

[gregoryhcain]

The few reports I’ve read about 1.4 on MachE are encouraging. I sure hope I see it sometime soon on my Lightning

 

[Bills R Electric]

Tonight I got a call from the Ford Blue Cruise team from the number (888) 898-1969‬.

I Googled the number and it traces back to accounts on X and Facebook that claim that they are the Software Sales support for Ford Telematics Software & Fleet Monitoring Systems. The number also shows up on a few other actual Ford websites. While it's super easy to spoof phone numbers, the person I talked to seemed to be legit.

His specific call was to gain feedback on how I liked my free trial of BlueCruse on my 2024 Lariat. This was my first indication that the call was legit. They knew my name and what vehicle I had. I confirmed that I had used it as much as I could during the 3-month trial. Then he wanted to know if I was aware of the recent price drop on the feature. I confirmed that I was. He asked if I was going to subscribe.

I said no, and I would never consider it. What followed was a volley of different questions about why I found the product to not only be deficient, but dangerous considering it's habit of disengaging at the worst possible time and annoying due to the incessant nagging when clearly looking at the road. He suggested that it was a simple case of needing to have the system calibrated, but I countered that my experiences are very consistent with others on this forum. He was not aware of this site, so I provided the URL.

He was very interested in what version of BlueCruise I was on, so I let him know that I couldn't tell him as there was no way to find that information in the app or in the vehicle menus. I suspected I was on 1.2 or 1.3, but certainly not 1.4, but until Ford saw fit to share this information, I really didn't know. He assured me that 1.4 would be rolled out soon, and I countered that I would be more than willing to try it again once it is actually on the vehicle, but I wouldn't pay to test their software, so they need to consider the Tesla approach of offering free trials to get people hooked. He said he would be able to look at my account to confirm my BC version and would call back within a few days with that information.

Overall, the conversation was positive and he thanked me for the feedback. He asked if I would be interested in participating in a longer conversation with the Ford team, probably lasting 60-90 minutes, in a few weeks. I said I'd be happy to and he said he would reach out again with scheduling.

I am thrilled that Ford is starting to take a look at why subscribership numbers are low. Has anyone else gotten a call from Ford?

I have a 3 year free trial.

I do use it, and love it.

But I use it on Expressways only. For Example, I-95 on the East Coast, it works great. I have also used it on several other Thurways/Interstates thru Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. These are road trip type drives.

It is crap on small highways. It is not in the same universe as "full self driving".
I guess I would pay $20 bucks a month, because I do use it enough to justify it.

 

[flypony53]

I have a 3 year free trial.

I do use it, and love it.

But I use it on Expressways only. For Example, I-95 on the East Coast, it works great. I have also used it on several other Thurways/Interstates thru Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. These are road trip type drives.

It is crap on small highways. It is not in the same universe as "full self driving".
I guess I would pay $20 bucks a month, because I do use it enough to justify it.

I am curious what small highways it works on. In my area here in Texas, BlueCruise is not available on many of the main highways in East Texas. In most of my drives on the highway, it is only available about 50% of the time. Where as in my Tesla, it is available on 100% of the roads I drive. Listen, for me, I am just tired of the empty promises on updates and upgrades. I am resolved to the fact the truck is moderately better than when I bought it, but will never have the software maintenance that Tesla does. My Model S is 11 months old...I have had 17 updates that have included the software version, the FSD version and release notes every time. Honestly, I could not tell you what version PU I am on with my truck. I was able to enable some of the BlueCruise 1.3 features with FORScan, but why do I need to make that update? My truck has the hardware and the capability, why do I need to edit the settings to enable it.

I love my Lightning, my favorite vehicle I have owned. I do not intend to part with it anytime soon, but man, their software team is infuriating.

 

[Bills R Electric]

I am curious what small highways it works on. In my area here in Texas, BlueCruise is not available on many of the main highways in East Texas. In most of my drives on the highway, it is only available about 50% of the time. Where as in my Tesla, it is available on 100% of the roads I drive. Listen, for me, I am just tired of the empty promises on updates and upgrades. I am resolved to the fact the truck is moderately better than when I bought it, but will never have the software maintenance that Tesla does. My Model S is 11 months old...I have had 17 updates that have included the software version, the FSD version and release notes every time. Honestly, I could not tell you what version PU I am on with my truck. I was able to enable some of the BlueCruise 1.3 features with FORScan, but why do I need to make that update? My truck has the hardware and the capability, why do I need to edit the settings to enable it.

I love my Lightning, my favorite vehicle I have owned. I do not intend to part with it anytime soon, but man, their software team is infuriating.

Farley has said "software is really hard for Ford". He ain't lying.

If Ford DID have software as good as Tesla's, the Lightning would be one amazing eV owner experience.

PS I have no idea what version of BlueCruise that I have, and I too am frustrated that I haven't gotten auto lane change. I think they are struggling to make it happen.

 

[evowner]

I am sorry that many of you are having problems with Bluecruise. My experience is the opposite. I find that while the hands free is active it is the best I have experienced.

I have been using 'hands free' for almost 10 years, starting with my Tesla's AutoPilot. I was hooked the first time I tried it. It took a short period of time to learn to trust it. I Have it on my EV6, had it on my Mercedes. They all have certain shortcomings in my opinion. Tesla used to be good until some drunken fool killed himself and his spouse filed a lawsuit. After that with a software upgrade you get a nagging every 15 seconds or so with your hands off of the wheel. If you let that happen a couple of times, it locks out for the remainder of the trip. It is almost useless now. It is of course 10 yr old technology. The EV6 and the Mercedes were about even. You would get a nag every few minutes on straightaways and more often on curvy roads.

Then comes BlueCruise. I took a trip for about 300 miles round trip about a week ago. Most of it was interstate. I was able to drive hands free for about 3/4 of the trip. That is a game changer for me. Almost like having a chauffeur. That is not to say that there isn't room for improvement. The hands free did disconnect at times that made no sense to me, but even then it still did the driving with some nagging. Compared to the other 3 vehicles Bluecruise is the best I have used so far.

In the thousands of miles I have driven, I had only one incident that, had I not been paying attention would have been a problem and it was my fault. You have to pay attention and be ready to take control at a moments notice. This technology may not be for everyone. For me this technology makes long trips stress free and comfortable. I do wish there was a pothole avoidance system.

 

[evowner]

PS I have no idea what version of BlueCruise that I have, and I too am frustrated that I haven't gotten auto lane change. I think they are struggling to make it happen.

I personally would not welcome automatic lane changing. There are only a few places where that would work safely in the area where i mostly drive. With so many bad drivers on the road I am certain there would be a wreck. Even if it were the other persons fault, like trying to fly by on the right I bet Bluecruise would loose in the courts.

 

[The Weatherman]

I personally would not welcome automatic lane changing. There are only a few places where that would work safely in the area where i mostly drive. With so many bad drivers on the road I am certain there would be a wreck. Even if it were the other persons fault, like trying to fly by on the right I bet Bluecruise would loose in the courts.

Isn’t great that Ford is making that option controllable by the end user. You can turn it off and I can turn it on.
If I ever get a chance too.

 

[Zprime29]

My brother called me last night when he tried hands free BlueCruise for the first time. He was rather impressed. His 24 Flash has at least 1.3 out of the box. He said it would move in the lane to give space when next to semi's and was able to change lanes by just using the turn indicator. I can't recall what was added (if anything) between 1.3 and 1.4.

Despite that new found toy giddiness, he agreed that the current asking price is too much. I'm still on 1.0+ ( I say plus as it did improve slightly after the front sensor update, is that 1.1? ). Have not noticed anything else different. My trial expires this June.

 

[PrimeRisk]

I am sorry that many of you are having problems with Bluecruise. My experience is the opposite. I find that while the hands free is active it is the best I have experienced.

I have been using 'hands free' for almost 10 years, starting with my Tesla's AutoPilot. I was hooked the first time I tried it. It took a short period of time to learn to trust it. I Have it on my EV6, had it on my Mercedes. They all have certain shortcomings in my opinion. Tesla used to be good until some drunken fool killed himself and his spouse filed a lawsuit. After that with a software upgrade you get a nagging every 15 seconds or so with your hands off of the wheel. If you let that happen a couple of times, it locks out for the remainder of the trip. It is almost useless now. It is of course 10 yr old technology. The EV6 and the Mercedes were about even. You would get a nag every few minutes on straightaways and more often on curvy roads.

Then comes BlueCruise. I took a trip for about 300 miles round trip about a week ago. Most of it was interstate. I was able to drive hands free for about 3/4 of the trip. That is a game changer for me. Almost like having a chauffeur. That is not to say that there isn't room for improvement. The hands free did disconnect at times that made no sense to me, but even then it still did the driving with some nagging. Compared to the other 3 vehicles Bluecruise is the best I have used so far.

In the thousands of miles I have driven, I had only one incident that, had I not been paying attention would have been a problem and it was my fault. You have to pay attention and be ready to take control at a moments notice. This technology may not be for everyone. For me this technology makes long trips stress free and comfortable. I do wish there was a pothole avoidance system.

I appreciate your perspective and that you find BlueCruise useful. I am coming from the experience with a 2021 Tesla MYP with HW3 and a late 2023 Tesla MY with HW4. I do have true handsfree in these vehicles with the in-car camera. It certainly isn't flawless, but has performed better IMHO than Ford's attention monitoring that is virtually non-functional if it is sunny out. For me, Tesla's solution vs Ford's is like comparing apples and ball-joints.

It's not that it doesn't work in some places, it's that it drops out in places and times where it shouldn't. My daily path to work includes a significant stretch of I-25 in Denver-Metro. Not exactly your biggest metro area, but I think I have a reasonable expectation that I-25 through the city should be completely mapped, but unfortunately there is a section that is not (or at least not correctly) mapped. My '24 Lightning will drop out of BC at the same place every single time I drive it, day or night. It is on a curve at 55MPH and the drop is abrupt. Sure, if I head South out of Denver to Colorado Springs I can drive the straight line without changing lanes with BlueCruise engaged for 60 miles without a glitch, but so can virtually any car with TACC and Lane-Keeping assist. I still drive that way today in the Lightning since my BC trial ended in early November.

This is the entire point for me. If all BC does is allow me to remove my hand from the steering wheel instead of just hanging my left hand on the wheel, it is of very low value to me as I typically rest my left hand on the wheel anyway.

 

[Scott Libre]

My wife and I are both Bluecruise fans on our Lightning and Mach e.

Most of the miles I have on my Mach e are from highway driving in the South East of the US.

 

[NCevGuyF150]

We heard it here first. Soon.

Soon has a different definition for different companies and different people.

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