Ford, Google Promise to ‘Reinvent’ The Modern Car

Ford Motor Co. and Google Inc. recently announced a deal reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars in which the tech company will take over responsibility for the carmaker’s in-vehicle technology.

The joint project is aimed at changing “every aspect of the car business, from the way vehicles are designed, engineered and assembled to the way customers shop and then experience their vehicles,” NBC reports. That includes upgrading infotainment offerings, using over-the-air connections to update vehicle software and exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the driving experience.

“As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernize our business,” Jim Farley, Ford’s president and chief executive officer said in a joint statement announcing the partnership.

The partnership is part of Ford’s $11 billion effort to overhaul and restructure operations. CNBC points out that it offers Google a high-profile opportunity to show off its cloud computing technology as the company looks to better compete with Amazon and Microsoft in the space.

Ford and Lincoln vehicles will be equipped with Android, Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play starting in 2023. Ford also aims to use Google’s cloud to send customers messages about maintenance or trade-in opportunities.

“We’re proud to partner to apply the best of Google’s AI, data analytics, compute and cloud platforms to help transform Ford's business and build automotive technologies that keep people safe and connected on the road,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in the announcement.

Ford Struggles With Car Defects

The new partnership comes as Ford continues to struggle with making cars that are safe to drive. 

Last year, for example, Ford recalled more than 2 million Focus vehicles because of a latch problem that could cause doors to pop open unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. Many of those cars were being recalled for a third time to address the same issue.

The good news for car owners and lessors in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some significant protections. The law requires car manufacturers to repair vehicles while they are under warranty and to buy back or replace vehicles that the company is not willing or unable to fix.

Speak with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you are a California car owner driving a lemon, it is important to consult an experienced lawyer to consider your rights and options. An attorney can help you ensure that the car’s manufacturer is made accountable and maximize your buyback or vehicle replacement.

Orange County lemon law attorney Brian Bickel and his team at Bickel Sannipoli APC represent people in defective vehicle cases across the state. We understand the significant stress that can come with haggling with car dealers and manufacturers. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent.

Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.