In a May 2 blog post, Ford Motor Co.’s Chief Officer for Electric Vehicles, Digital Systems, and Design, Doug Field, shared an update on the company's future strategy focused on transitioning to software-defined vehicles.
Ford’s future software project, codenamed FNV4, will be integrated with the current FNV3 architecture into a new version called FNV3.X. According to Field, the company plans to develop FNV3.X and implement it across its entire vehicle lineup.
“In modern vehicles, software is a key tool to enhance the ownership experience,” Field said.
He emphasized that Ford is already ahead of competitors in rolling out software updates. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the company completed 9.5 million updates across its fleet. The shift to the FNV3.X architecture, Field said, will further accelerate innovation.
The new architecture will support the launch of new digital services for customers, improve vehicle quality, and deliver enhanced safety, better driving performance, and improved infotainment for a wider range of users.
In addition, FNV3.X will allow Ford to expand the advanced digital experience already available in the Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Navigator models to other popular models including the Bronco, F-150, Mustang, and Ranger. Thanks to the new architecture, Ford will be able to more easily implement its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology in models that previously didn’t support it, as the necessary infrastructure will be built in.
“Whether it's hands-free highway driving with BlueCruise, smart navigation, using your phone as a key, or the Ford Security package — we’re delivering technologies that genuinely improve life, and making them available to as many of our vehicles as possible,” Field noted.