Ford CEO Jim Farley vs Apple: In a strong public statement, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley has raised serious concerns about Apple’s new in-car system- CarPlay Ultra.
He said that while Ford values the Apple ecosystem, the automaker “does not have the right to disrupt a person’s digital life” every time they enter their car.
फोर्ड के सीईओ जिम फैर्ले ने कहा Apple के CarPlay Ultra से हमें डेटा-और नियंत्रण का डर है। जानिए क्या है समस्या, भारत में क्या असर होगा?
फोर्ड के सीईओ जिम फैर्ले ने कहा कि Apple का नया CarPlay Ultra सिस्टम काफी अधिक कंट्रोल लेता है और यह ऑटोमेकर्स के लिए “डेटा और ब्रांड कंट्रोल” के लिए चिंता का विषय है।
This heated exchange between two tech-auto giants—Ford vs Apple—marks a turning point in the global connected-car revolution, including India’s fast-growing market.
🧠 Background – Why This Conflict Matters | क्यों उठा यह विवाद ?
🔹 What is Apple CarPlay Ultra?
Apple’s latest version – CarPlay Ultra – goes far beyond music and navigation.
It deeply integrates with the car’s speedometer, fuel gauge, air-conditioning, seat adjustments, and even climate control.
Essentially, it lets the iPhone software take over the car’s digital dashboard.
CarPlay Ultra के माध्यम से Apple अब सिर्फ मनोरंजन तक सीमित नहीं रहना चाहता, बल्कि पूरे वाहन के फंक्शंस पर सॉफ्टवेयर कंट्रोल लाना चाहता है।
This raises the key question – who really controls the driver’s digital experience: the car manufacturer or Apple?
🔹 Ford’s Digital Strategy and “Software-Defined Vehicles”
Ford has been working on software-defined vehicles (SDV) – cars whose features are upgraded through software updates.
Jim Farley emphasized that automakers must own the user relationship inside the vehicle.
He believes that if Apple’s system fully takes over the dashboard, Ford’s brand identity and customer data could be diluted.
Quote:
“We don’t like the execution of Ultra in round one,” Farley said.
“I’ve talked to Tim [Cook] many times — Ford does not have the right to disrupt someone’s digital life when they get in their car.”
⚡ Ford CEO Jim Farley’s Statement in Detail | जिम फैर्ले ने क्या कहा?
Farley made it clear that Ford respects Apple, yet doesn’t want its vehicles to become just hardware shells for Apple’s software.
Key Concerns Highlighted by Farley:
- Control: Apple CarPlay Ultra could take over core vehicle functions, such as climate and speed display.
- Data Ownership: Who owns the user’s driving data – Apple or the automaker?
- Brand Dilution: If the interface is 100 % Apple, then where is Ford’s brand identity?
- Driver Safety & Experience: Uniform UI might not fit each car’s unique design.
फैर्ले का मानना है कि CarPlay Ultra के माध्यम से Apple यूज़र एक्सपीरियंस का पूरा कंट्रोल लेना चाहता है, जो ऑटोमोटिव ब्रांड की स्वतंत्रता को कम कर सकता है।
🍎 Apple’s View and Industry Reactions | Apple का रुख और इंडस्ट्री की प्रतिक्रिया
Apple, on its part, has not issued a strong rebuttal but continues to promote CarPlay Ultra as a feature that “brings the best of the iPhone experience to the car.”
Other Automakers’ Responses:
- General Motors (GM) has already announced plans to drop CarPlay and Android Auto in future EVs.
- Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Volvo, and Renault are reportedly not planning to integrate CarPlay Ultra.
- These companies are building their own in-car OS (platforms) to retain data control and brand differentiation.
कई ऑटोमेकर्स CarPlay Ultra से दूर रह रहे हैं क्योंकि वे अपनी ब्रांड आईडेंटिटी और कस्टमर डेटा को बचाना चाहते हैं।
🇮🇳 Impact on India – What It Means for Indian Drivers and Automakers
1️⃣ Connected-Car Growth in India
India is seeing a massive surge in connected car sales — from Maruti Suzuki’s Connect to Tata Motors’ iRA(Intelligent Real-Time Assist) and Hyundai’s Bluelink.
Consumers want voice commands, app connectivity, and smartphone integration.
However, CarPlay Ultra poses new challenges:
- Will Apple control vital functions like climate and engine data?
- How will Indian data-protection laws react if driver data is stored on Apple servers?
2️⃣ Concerns for Indian Automakers & Consumers
- Automakers: They may fear losing control of the user interface and data.
- Consumers: Benefit from a seamless iPhone experience, but may lose privacy and custom car features.
- Regulators: India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act could be invoked if sensitive car data is transferred abroad.
भारतीय ऑटोमेकर्स के लिए यह फैसला कठिन होगा – क्या वे Apple के सिस्टम को अपनाएं या अपना लोकल सॉफ्टवेयर डेवलप करें?
🌐 Tech vs Auto – The Bigger Battle | सिर्फ कार तक सीमित नहीं यह युद्ध
The Ford vs Apple episode is a snapshot of a global tug-of-war between tech companies and automakers.
⚙ Why Automakers Are Pushing Back
- They fear becoming hardware suppliers for software giants.
- They want to own the digital relationship with the customer.
- Data is the new oil – whoever controls data controls revenue.
🧩 For Consumers – Convenience vs Control
Pros: Unified experience, better UI, iPhone sync.
Cons: Less privacy, limited customisation, dependency on Apple ecosystem.
आपको CarPlay Ultra में बेहतर इंटरफेस तो मिलेगा, लेकिन क्या आप अपनी डिजिटल लाइफ Apple को सौंपना चाहेंगे ?
📈 Possible Scenarios for Future | आने वाले दिनों में क्या होगा?
🔸 Scenario 1 – Automakers Resist Apple’s Control
Ford and others build their own connected-car platforms, keeping Apple limited to basic features.
🔸 Scenario 2 – Apple Wins Integration Battle
If users demand full iPhone integration, automakers may have to surrender UI control.
🔸 Scenario 3 – Hybrid Approach
A balanced model where Apple controls music and maps, but core functions stay with the car maker.
For India: Hybrid is the most likely – Indian OEMs will balance Apple’s UI with local software controls to comply with data laws.
🧾 Why It Matters to Every Indian Car Buyer
When you buy a car today, you are not just buying an engine — you are buying a software ecosystem.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Connected Car:
- Does the car support CarPlay Ultra or only basic CarPlay?
- Where is your data stored — India or overseas servers?
- Can you still use a car’s native features without an iPhone?
- Will the brand provide updates and privacy controls?
कार खरीदते समय सिर्फ माइलेज और पावर नहीं, बल्कि सॉफ्टवेयर सिक्योरिटी और डेटा प्रोटेक्शन भी देखें।
📣 Expert View – Software-Defined Vehicles Are the Future
Industry analysts say that this is just the beginning. Cars are turning into mobile computers on wheels.
Whichever company controls the software will own the customer experience.
Ford and other automakers want to ensure that future revenue streams (subscriptions, AI assistants, ADAS services) stay with them — not tech companies.
In short: “Who owns the dashboard, owns the driver.”
🗞 What to Watch Next | अगले कदम क्या होंगे?
- Will Apple respond to Farley’s criticism officially?
- Will Ford release its own digital OS for cars?
- How will Indian automakers react to CarPlay Ultra’s global rollout?
- Could the Indian government impose regulations on vehicle data sharing?
- Timeline to launch: CarPlay Ultra expected to reach select markets in 2025–26.
Stay tuned as the battle for the dashboard continues.
Read More:
🏁 Conclusion – “Car of the Future Belongs to Those Who Control the Code”
Jim Farley’s comments aren’t just a Ford-Apple story — they symbolize the bigger fight for the future of mobility.
Whether it’s Apple, Google, or Ford, the real power in next-gen vehicles lies in software, data, and user trust.
Final Note for Indian Readers:
“Aap car le rahe hain toh software bhi samajhiye, sirf engine nahi.”
Your digital privacy matters as much as your car’s mileage.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ford CEO Jim Farley say about Apple CarPlay Ultra?
He said that Apple’s CarPlay Ultra goes too far by taking over car controls, adding that Ford “does not have the right to disrupt a user’s digital life.”
Why are automakers like Ford concerned about CarPlay Ultra?
Because it could reduce their control over the car’s software and data, turning them into mere hardware providers.
How will CarPlay Ultra impact India?
It may create data privacy concerns under Indian law and force local manufacturers to develop their own systems.
Can Apple control car functions in India via CarPlay Ultra?
Technically, yes, but it will depend on automaker agreements and government data regulations.
Which automakers are rejecting CarPlay Ultra?
GM, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Volvo, and Renault have chosen not to implement it for now.
When will CarPlay Ultra come to India?
Apple has not announced an India-specific timeline, but a global launch is expected by late 2025.
What does this mean for you as a driver in India?
You should check your car’s software policies and data sharing agreements before buying connected models.
Bablu Ayodhi is an experienced automotive writer and the founder of GadiJankari.com. He focuses on delivering clear, factual, and engaging news about cars, bikes, and emerging technologies. Every article follows GadiJankari’s editorial and fact-checking standards to ensure credibility and reader trust.
Areas of Expertise: Car and Bike Reviews & Launch News, Comparisons & Mileage Insights, EV & Technology Updates.
