Ford used last week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona to unveil new voice-activated apps and announce further initiatives.

Ford Sync with AppLink will now enable UK customers to search 15 million parking spaces across Europe via Parkopedia.

A similar link-up with Aupeo enables voice control of music from more than 200 European radio stations.

Ford’s chief technical officer and vice president of research and innovation, Paul Mascarenas, said: “Customers want to integrate their personalised digital lives into their daily drive.

“These new AppLink partnerships significantly extend the growing range of smartphone apps drivers will be able to access by voice, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”

Ford also launched a new ‘EcoSport Live!’ promotional campaign, which kicked off with a free YouTube concert featuring 10 emerging talents.

It also announced the release of a further 1,000 EcoSport SUVs in Mars Red, Kinetic Blue, Panther Black or Moondust Silver. They are available to pre-order exclusively via Facebook.