What does Ford Motor Company have in common with Google, Apple and Amazon? Ford shares a spot with them on Fast Company magazine’s Top 10 list of most innovative companies in mobile technology, and becomes the first automaker to ever be recognized in the category.

“This honor represents Ford’s commitment to innovation and development of technology that enhances the driving experience and adds real value to the consumer,” said Mark Fields, Ford president, The Americas. “We’re very proud of this recognition from Fast Company, and it is truly an accomplishment to be named amongst some of the leading technology innovators and mobile application developers.”

Fast Company ranked Ford fifth in the mobile technology category for the introduction and evolution of SYNC,^® the industry-leading connectivity system codeveloped with Microsoft, as well as the recent reveal of MyFord Touch,™ an innovative user interface that promises to redefine the in-car experience.

Ford developed SYNC in response to the explosive growth potential of the mobile device and embarked on a strategy to build a software-based connectivity platform that could leverage the increasing power of the phone and improving data networks. MyFord Touch expands on the system’s device connectivity features by delivering a graphical, touch, and voice-controlled user interface that maximizes SYNC’s capability and provides an intuitive and safer way for drivers to interact with the car.

In addition to introducing MyFord Touch at the recent 2010 International CES, Ford became the first automaker to announce hands-free command and control of smart phone apps. Pandora, Stitcher and OpenBeak are the first to implement the SYNC Application Programming Interface (API), enabling drivers to voice control the apps through SYNC’s Bluetooth^® connection.

We make it easy for you to share this story with your friends; simply click on the “share this” method of your choice just below or at the top right corner of this page. You can also click here to sign up for updates from Ford Motor Company, and click here to add an RSS feed to your regular homepage.