Back in 2021, The Blue Oval partnered with Google, joining forces to create what would eventually become the Ford Digital Experience. The so-called “Team Upshift” developed new software-based systems for Ford, but at the time, it wasn’t clear how much of a hand the automaker had in the process. Ford Authority recently learned that Ford worked very closely with Google during the collaboration to bring the new operating system to life.
One of the vehicles to harness the new Ford Digital Experience is the refreshed 2025 Ford Explorer. During the crossover’s reveal event, Ford Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft had the opportunity to sit down with Alex Blouin, Emerging Content Project Manager, to ask about Ford’s involvement with the development of the new Google-based system.
“We’ve got a very close partnership with Google,” Blouin told Ford Authority. “The way we talk about it is that this is a Ford system that’s built with Google. There are many Google services and features in here as well.”
Blouin also explained that the design was heavily customized based on feedback from customers, ensuring that it was tailored toward the desires of new Ford buyers.
Current vehicles that harness the Ford Digital Experience system include the aforementioned Explorer, as well as the 2025 Lincoln Aviator, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, the 2025 Ford Expedition, and the 2025 Lincoln Navigator. As for what makes the system so great, it offers a suite of apps, such as Google Maps, Spotify, and Amazon, just to name a few. In fact, the system functions much like a smartphone or tablet.
It’s worth noting that the Ford Digital Experience is not related to the old Ford Sync system, as Ford Authority reported earlier this year. However, The Blue Oval isn’t pulling the plug on Sync quite yet, and will continue to offer that tech in certain vehicles that do not utilize the Digital Experience for a while yet.
Comments
Anyone buying a vehicle with Sync right now will regret it, sooner rather than later.
Put the new system in ALL of your vehicles as soon as it’s introed, you dummies.
I hope it doesn’t allow Google to spy on me and sell all my data to the highest bidder!
I don’t trust that rogue spy organization at all!
Your data is already everywhere, dude.
Ford needs to implement strong privacy policies that legally bind Google because Google has no respect for privacy
Is there any chance the 48″ display gets an update any time soon to include more options?
I think it looks terrible. More opportunities to distract drivers with useless nonsense. Keep your eyes on the road.