Community Vlog 2– Alexa on your Mach-E

[Darren]

Welcome to our second Vlog. We are very pleased to introduce Alex who will be giving a tour of the new Alexa functionality in Mach-E vehicles. 

MY21/22 vehicles will be receiving Alexa as well as other features as part of the  latest software updates.

Please use the comments section for any questions or feedback. 

[JGreene]

Loving these updates, thank you! Have you got any more planned? 

[JasIII]

MY/21  Alexa installed,  …. only reply following saying “Alexa”   is: 

“I’m having trouble connecting. Please check your network connection and try again. “

I don’t have Ford Streaming activated but understood  from @Rob  that  basic Alexa functions do not require it. (?) 

This happens even parked and connected to Wifi. 

Is there a connectivity issue?

[Darren]

Hi @JasIII - you are correct that non-streaming Alexa functionalities should work without a subscription . Is this still happening? By it's nature you will sometimes get this error message when for some reason it cannot connect (usually in a cellular blackspot) - please let us know if it is persistent. Thanks 

[JasIII]

Hi Darren 

Thanks for getting back about this.

Yes it is still the case.

Alexa replies, 99% of time after a long pause while just showing the Alexa Icon on the upper part of the display, as activated,  but nothing, then after a minute or so she says “I’m having trouble connecting. Please check your network connection and try again. “

That happens just when saying “Alexa” & nothing more.

It’s  not a cellular blackspot . I can see three bars on the display….  even when Sync4 is full bars connected to Wi-Fi. 

I did get it to reply once when asking “ What time is it” But that usually fails, with same message, even driving and I can see more cellular bars. 

Funny if I’m in Carplay connected by USB I can use the Alexa app on my iPhone and it works great through CarPlay, with all functionality, except maybe controlling car settings. 

No big deal though I probably won’t use Alexa  much. I was just wondering what’s up after all the Who-Ha getting this update.  

I’ve  just waiting & hoping for more OTA module updates, like the ‘Frunk button’ on display, and getting this MY21 upgraded to 91kWh useable from 88, as per MY22- 23.Ford did say it would happen when released, but notv’when’.

  The USA got this last year.  I don’t think Country, language or UK Thatcham, has anything to do with delays the delay here, does it?

 IKenna also mentioned awhile back in Chat that we should eventually see a “ Ferry Mode”  for the Alarm which temporarily disables the ‘inclination sensor’ . Most premium cars have this for years to keep batteries from getting depleted on long or rough sail, from car alarm going off constantly.  Especially concerned since we only have a small 12 V auxiliary battery.  imagine the problems on the car deck if that was dead! Not a simple ‘jump’ start st all! 

So my only option is unlocking my  MME by FP app after boarding and the car deck is secure. then LOCK on arriving into Port. 

Anymore info or updates would be great. b- ThankX

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[JasIII]

————————

”Given the error message you are receiving:  "I’m having trouble connecting to the network. Please check your connection and try again” - This implies that your vehicle is not connected to Wi-Fi. To use the Alexa feature the vehicle has to be connected to Wi-Fi. Please can you confirm if you have a Wi-Fi Hotspot package or if you use Ford Streaming?” 

- Bobbi  | CX Specialist, Ford of Britain and Ireland

——————-

Hello @Darren 

I received a reply(above)  from UKBev today that seems completely contrary to all other information about Alexa function in Ford Sync 4, saying now  it requires a Vodafone Hotspot Package or Alexa Streaming to work at all.  If so thats not very acceptable!

Could someone specifically knowledgeable please confirm the correct information about basic Alexa functionality. 

Thanks

[Darren]

Hi @JasIII - this is only correct if you want to use the streaming functionalities of Alexa (Music, audio books, etc) The core functionalities e.g. climate control and base Alexa info such as weather should work without this. 

I have sent a chase out now to see what progress has been made, and will tie up with the BEV team to clarify. 

[JasIII]

Greetings Darren, et all.

Just to confirm that Alexa still does not respond. except for saying 

“I’m having trouble connecting to the network. Please check your connection and try again”

A case was created 3 weeks ago 

CAS-43541840-W8J2Q2 CRM:037301466

But Ford Technical is not responding,  to EVUK Team enquiries. as usual.

All this update work to deliver Alexa that fails without resolution or solution is a problem. 

This is lack of responses or information to your Support team  customer service agents (who call themselves‘Specialists’) … is the biggest complaint that Mach-e owners have with Ford, and is now resulting in many letters now being sent to the Head Office. i do hope this is investigated and results in better support experience.  I know your team is aware of this and has sometimes intervened to expedite action. 

If thats can be the case here -.please do! 

-Thanks

[mharvey7]

@JasIII we made some back end improvements following customer comments on 9th August which hopefully will have resolved the problems you were encountering..  If you haven't already, please give Alexa another try and let us know if you are still having issues.  Thanks!

[JasIII]

Yes it seems all sorted now.  Thanks!

Only frustrating part is that it seems not a lot of communication going on there at Ford between teams.  I’m still having UKBEV CRS replying they are waiting on a reply from Technical. I let them know it’s been resolved.

Now we just need [MY EV DRIVING DATA]  Tile restored in FP, App along with a large crowd of other very unhappy owners that are eagerly waiting!

🙏🏻

[Chris-D]

Hi, I use Alexa all the time in my home. Living in Belgium, I just wonder why Alexa for the Mach-E is rolled out in several European countries, but not in Belgium or The Netherlands. Mine is a MY23.

[Darren]

Hi @Chrisw ,

Alexa market availability is directed by Amazon, should they extend this we will work with them to look at feasibility from our side. Current markets at present are:

UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Austria