Ford Taps Tencent to Add WeChat to Chinese Models

  • Wednesday, February 18th, 2015
  • Author: Tim Maytom
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WeChatCar manufacturer Ford is in talks with Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings to adapt its popular WeChat messaging app to be included as a hand-free solution in models for the Chinese market.

Rival firms including Nissan and Daimler are also looking into ways to enable drivers to access road-safe, hands-free versions of mobile apps in China, due to its booming smartphone and auto markets.

WeChat is the most popular messaging app in China, with around 500m active monthly users and over 1bn registered accounts. On Lunar New Years eve, 10m messages were processed through the service in a single minute.

“Theres a demand from our customers,” said David Huang, senior engineer in Fords Asia Pacific connected services unit in an interview with Reuters. “People want to stay connected, stay informed and stay entertained all the time, even when theyre driving.”

Its becoming clear that cars are one of the next great tech battlegrounds, as auto manufacturers explore ways to integrate mobile technology into vehicles, and tech giants like Google and Apple apply their expertise to autonomous vehicles and smart navigation.