By Mike Colias

Ford Motor Co. plans to use Google's Android system to offer apps like maps and voice commands, the latest auto maker to tap Silicon Valley amid the accelerating digitization of the car business.

The companies said Monday that Ford will use Android as the main operating system across all of its models outside of China starting in 2023. Ford also intends to work with Alphabet Inc.'s Google for cloud services to help the auto maker develop in-car features and manage the reams of data streaming from its vehicles.

Terms of the agreement weren't disclosed.

Silicon Valley firms are pushing further into the auto business, eager to capitalize on the growth prospects of the car's evolution as a rolling personal device.

Tech companies now provide core operating systems to run in-vehicle multimedia systems, while also providing cloud-based service to store and manage the proliferation of data produced by cars, many of which now are sold with broadband connections.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 01, 2021 12:27 ET (17:27 GMT)

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