Ford and Toyota made a rare alliance for in-car technology on Monday. The two will collaborate on telematics and “Internet-based services” to help establish common standards. Both will keep developing their existing systems, which include Ford Sync and Toyota’s Entune.
Both depend on Microsoft for their technology. Sync is built primarily on a Microsoft platform. Entune is more directly developed by Toyota, but it should eventually tie into Windows Azure for cloud services like smart grids.
The two firm also said they were teaming on a new, common hybrid electric platform for light trucks and SUVs. The two hoped to bring the fuel-saving advantage of hybrids without compromising the power needed to drive the heavier vehicles.
Neither the in-dash technology nor the hybrid platform had a definite timetable.
