Launched under former CEO Jim Farley’s tech-forward vision, the SDV program aimed to create a unified software architecture across Ford’s entire future lineup. It was intended to enable seamless over-the-air updates, advanced driver-assistance features, and a new generation of connected services — all designed to generate recurring revenue streams and improve customer retention.

The initiative also included partnerships with major tech firms, including Google and Red Hat, and involved building an in-house software team known as Team Edison , modeled after Silicon Valley startups. However, internal sources revealed friction between traditional engineering teams and software developers, along with difficulties integrating legacy systems with modern platforms.