Ford and Google to partner on in-car tech from 2023

Ford and Google have announced a six-year partnership, with future Ford vehicles to be powered by the tech giant’s Android software from 2023. This will include Google apps and services which will be built-in to millions of Ford vehicles, while Google Cloud will also become Ford’s preferred cloud storage partner.

To keep innovating and ‘push the boundaries of Ford’s transformation’, Ford and Google will also create a collaborative group named Team Upshift, to come up with ‘personalised consumer experiences, and drive disruptive, data-driven opportunities.’ This will leverage the talent and assets of both companies and seek out opportunities, such as new retail experiences and ownership offers.

Jim Farley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford, said: “As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernise our business.”

Android’s automotive operating system made its debut in the Polestar 2 and is currently being rolled out to new Volvo models. In Ford products, it will include Google Maps and Google Assistant voice recognition, while the Google Play store will enable the downloading of familiar apps for music, podcasts and so on.