Ford CEO Says Apple CarPlay And Android Auto Staying In Cars

Back in April, Ford’s cross-town rival, General Motors, shockingly announced that it would be ditching Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity in its future EV models, instead opting to go with its own infotainment system developed in partnership with Google. This decision was made for a number of reasons, as it gives GM the ability to capture more user data, focus its engineering efforts into one single software platform, better integrate its own features such as SuperCruise, make vehicles less dependent on smartphones, and drive revenue through connected vehicle services. As one might imagine, however, the decision was met with massive criticism – including from Ford CEO Jim Farley himself – who recently reiterated that Blue Oval models won’t be following suit.

We’re committed to keeping Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. @Ford customers love the features because they help keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. We work closely with Apple & Google to create a very high-quality experience for customers. And I think we have the… pic.twitter.com/77gCex6evd

— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) December 13, 2023

“We’re committed to keeping Apple CarPlay & Android Auto at Ford,” Farley wrote in a recent post on X. “Customers love the features because they help keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. We work closely with Apple and Google to create a very high-quality experience for customers. And I think we have the best experience out there with SYNC 4A.”

Though this isn’t the first time Farley has denounced GM’s decision to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its future EVs, this latest post likely stems from comments that Tim Babbitt, GM’s head of product for infotainment, made in an interview with MotorTrend just this week. Babbitt now claims that GM is making this move for safety reasons, noting that third-party systems “have stability issues” that can cause drivers to take their eyes off the road.

Regardless of all this backlash, GM remains adamant that it’s making the right move here, with vice president of software Scott Miller noting that customers are looking for a better alternative, and that the automaker believes people can be weened off of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if they’re presented with a superior experience. Meanwhile, a recent survey found that most people prefer these third-party applications over OEM ones, and Ford continues to expand its compatibility in that regard.

We’ll have more on everything Ford’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.