September 30, 2025 – During his appearance on the “Decoder” podcast today, Ford CEO Jim Farley made it clear that the automaker has no plans to integrate Apple’s CarPlay Ultra into its vehicles. Instead, Farley emphasized that Google’s Android Auto currently offers a superior experience for Ford drivers.
While Ford remains committed to supporting the standard version of CarPlay in its cars, Farley explained that the company has decided against adopting the more advanced CarPlay Ultra. He revealed that he has had multiple discussions with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the future of in-car connectivity, but Ford is now considering developing its own proprietary software for vehicle infotainment systems.
Farley criticized CarPlay Ultra’s approach, which he believes gives Apple “complete control” over the in-car experience. He argued that this level of integration could lead to a confusing user experience when drivers enter their vehicles, forcing Ford to choose between aligning with Google or Apple.
The CEO clarified that Ford’s decision to distance itself from Apple is primarily driven by concerns over advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), rather than a belief that Ford’s own software would necessarily outperform CarPlay. However, he did reveal that Ford is working on new software that could enhance both Android Auto and CarPlay by adding unique features on top of these existing platforms.
Despite this, Farley left the door open for potential future collaboration with Apple, stating that Ford might reconsider CarPlay Ultra if significant improvements are made. For now, though, he expressed greater enthusiasm for solutions from other manufacturers, particularly those coming out of China.
Farley specifically praised Huawei’s (Harmony Intelligent Mobility) and Xiaomi’s automotive systems, describing their seamless integration and impressive overall performance. He noted that no U.S. tech company has yet achieved similar success in the automotive space.
This stance aligns Ford with other automakers who have rejected CarPlay Ultra. For instance, a Renault executive previously warned Apple against “trying to invade our cars,” highlighting a broader industry resistance to Apple’s ambitious in-car technology plans.
