Ford Goes from Zero to a Full Lineup with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Sync 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (Credit: © Ford)

When Apple and Google got into the automotive infotainment industry with their CarPlay and Android Auto systems, respectively, experts assumed adoption of these new systems would be nearly immediate. Well, that hasn’t happened, as many automakers are waiting on redesigns and refreshes to add these systems, leading to a slower rollout than expected. One automaker that had a goose egg on the board for adoption of these systems was Ford, but that is set to change dramatically in 2017.

Ford has just announced that its entire 2017 model year lineup will have available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The automaker is pulling this feat of by adding the two pieces of software to the new Sync 3 system—the replacement for the clunky MyFord Touch—and adding the new infotainment system as at least an option to all of its 2017 cars, trucks, and SUVs. This quick adoption gives Ford the second highest number of models with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto installed and makes it the fastest to fully adopt the systems to its lineup.

While Ford didn’t announce how it will go about adding Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to its existing 2017 models, including the Escape, Fusion, Mustang, and Explorer, I can only assume they will come as over-the-air updates to existing owners. Any 2017 models driven off the lot starting today will have the new systems preinstalled.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay both eliminate the need to look at your cellphone while driving, as all of the pertinent data is on the infotainment screen. What’s more, these systems give the driver quick access to navigation apps on their respective phones, which are often more frequently updated than hard-installed OEM systems.

Stay tuned for pricing information and other updates on the remaining 2017 Ford models.