Ford, FCA to offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, in a bid to keep up with rival General Motors, today said they will start offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on their vehicles this year.

Ford said owners of some 2016 models would be able to upgrade retroactively.

The company said today the features will be built into all 2017 cars and trucks that have its Sync 3 connectivity system, starting with the refreshed Escape crossover that goes on sale in late spring. Drivers who already own a Sync 3-equipped vehicle can upgrade later this year, the company said.

FCA said it would introduce Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on “select” vehicles in its global portfolio; it didn’t provide specific details.

Ford and FCA dealers have been clamoring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which create more seamless connections between vehicles and drivers’ smartphones, since GM began offering them on most Chevrolets last summer. Hyundai also plans to roll out the functionality within a few months, about a year after initially promising it would arrive.

“Sync allows customers to bring the smartphone technology they’re comfortable with into a vehicle and use it without hassle,” Don Butler, Ford’s executive director of connected vehicle and services, said in a statement. “With Sync, we move at our customers’ pace -- making it easy for them to maintain a connected lifestyle no matter their choice of smartphone, apps or services inside and outside their vehicle.”

FCA upgrade

FCA said the features will be part of its fourth-generation UConnect system, which will start up faster and include a capacitive touch screen that is more responsive and higher resolution.

“The Uconnect team is evolving Uconnect and making it even better,” Joni Christensen, the head of Uconnect marketing for FCA US, said in a statement today. “With the launch of the fourth generation of Uconnect systems, we are continuing to minimize the everyday stresses of busy lifestyles by providing drivers with a variety of ways to stay conveniently connected to their vehicles, while making every drive exceptionally informative, entertaining and unique.”

AppLink update

Ford also said it will introduce a new version of AppLink, a connectivity feature built on the SmartDeviceLink software, later this year. Among the capabilities being added to AppLink, which is already on 5 million Ford vehicles, are the ability to automatically track mileage for expense reimbursement, find nearby events and track fuel prices.

Drivers in China will be able to access that country’s most popular social media platform, QQ, for messaging, music and real-time traffic conditions.