Ford and Toyota join forces on SmartDeviceLink software
Toyota will adopt Ford’s SmartDeviceLink platform in its vehicles, aiming to reduce reliance on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and encourage wider industry use.
Toyota has announced it will implement Ford’s SmartDeviceLink (SDL) software in its vehicles, a move intended to give carmakers greater control over in-car connectivity and reduce dependence on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The decision, revealed in early 2016, marks a rare collaboration between two of the world’s largest manufacturers and signals a push for an open, industry-backed alternative to tech-giant-controlled infotainment systems.
SmartDeviceLink is an open-source platform developed by Ford to enable smartphone apps to interface with a car’s infotainment system. Unlike Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are controlled by their respective parent companies, SDL allows manufacturers to customise the interface and decide which apps and features are available to drivers. By adopting SDL, Toyota aims to maintain more influence over the user experience and data, rather than ceding control to Apple or Google.
Why Toyota and Ford are moving away from Apple and Google
For manufacturers, the dominance of Apple and Google in car connectivity raises concerns about data ownership, branding and the ability to innovate independently. By sharing SDL, Ford and Toyota hope to create a standard that other carmakers can adopt, reducing fragmentation and giving the industry more leverage over software direction. According to Ford, the open approach also helps in markets like China, where Google’s services face regulatory barriers.
Other manufacturers, including PSA, Mazda, Honda and Subaru, are also considering SDL. Key suppliers such as QNX Software Systems and UIEvolution have already integrated SDL into their offerings, expanding its reach. QNX, in particular, supplies infotainment and telematics solutions to over 40 carmakers, making it a strategic partner for the platform’s wider adoption.
What it means for buyers and the industry
For buyers, the shift to SDL could mean more consistent integration of smartphone apps across brands and regions, but it may also delay or limit access to some features tied closely to Apple or Google ecosystems. For manufacturers, the alliance offers a chance to shape the future of in-car software and avoid being locked into the terms set by tech companies. Ford and Toyota’s partnership could encourage other carmakers to join, strengthening the industry’s bargaining position.
The move also reflects a broader trend among carmakers to seek greater independence in software and data management. As vehicles become more connected, control over the infotainment environment is increasingly seen as a strategic asset.
Whether SDL can attract enough support to challenge the dominance of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remains to be seen, but the Ford-Toyota alliance marks a clear attempt to set a new direction for automotive software.
