DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co., looking to jazz up its products and revive sagging U.S. sales, said Wednesday it signed a long-term agreement with Sony Corp.'s Sony Electronics division to offer Sony-branded audio systems in Ford and Mercury vehicles starting next year.

The move, which follows the auto maker's deal with Microsoft Corp. to develop the wireless Sync system for future vehicles, is part of Ford's strategy to add "signature technologies'' in its vehicles.

__________________