Ford and Google announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the automaker’s digital transformation, modernize operations, and power connected vehicle technologies with Google’s cloud technology.

As its preferred cloud provider, and starting later this year, Google will help Ford leverage Google Cloud’s AI, ML, and data analytics technologies, according to the companies. Also through the new six-year partnership, future Ford and Lincoln vehicles, starting in 2023, will be powered by Android, with Google apps and services built-in.

“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 modernize our business,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford.

Ford and Google are also establishing a new collaborative group, Team Upshift. Which will leverage the talent of both companies, who will develop personalized consumer experiences, and drive disruptive, data-driven opportunities, the automaker said. 

“We’re proud to partner to apply the best of Google’s AI, data analytics, compute and cloud platforms to help transform Ford's business and build automotive technologies that keep people safe and connected on the road,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. 

With Google Cloud, Ford plans to:

• Accelerate modernization of product development, manufacturing, and supply chain management, including exploration of using vision AI for manufacturing employee training and even more reliable plant equipment performance;

• Fast track the implementation of data-driven business models resulting in customers receiving real-time notices such as maintenance requests or trade-in alerts.

Beginning in 2023, Ford and Lincoln customers globally will start to benefit from unique digital experiences built on top of the Android operating system and with Google apps and services built-in:

• With Google Assistant, drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, by getting things done using voice commands

• With Google Maps as the vehicles’ primary navigation, drivers can reach their destination faster with information on real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, lane guidance, and more.

• Android in the car also enables Ford and third-party developers to build apps that provide a constantly improving and ever-more-personalized ownership experience.