MUMBAI: Internet radio service Pandora Internet Radio has officially announced its partnership with Ford Australia. In a unique deal with the auto manufacturing company, the radio streaming service will be pre-installed in 60 per cent of all new Australian Ford models in 2015.

This comes as a key milestone for the music streaming company in the expansion of availability across the local automotive market. The launch, effective from October 9 across a range of nameplates including Fiesta ST and Focus ST and Ford Kuga line up, will continue to roll out across other Ford nameplates including the Fiesta, Focus, Ranger and Transit range by early 2015.

Pandora ANZ Director of Business Rick Gleave said in a statement, "The car is the traditional home of radio, and with Pandora now seamlessly incorporated in many models of Ford vehicles, we can ensure our listeners continue enjoying Pandora no matter where they are commuting or travelling."

"For the first time, listeners will enjoy the fully integrated suite of Pandora features, replicated from their mobile to the dashboard in their vehicle, ensuring driver focus remains where it should be, on the road," he added.

Out of the approximate 60 percent of commercial radio that reaches the Australian consumers in their cars each week, 35 per cent accounts for all the music listening while driving.

Gleave continued to say, "By partnering with Ford, an innovator for in-car connectivity technologies, we continue to extend our reach to capture what we describe as the ‘ear balls’ of Australians. This landmark partnership grows our footprint in the automotive market locally, cementing our leadership as the most enabled streaming service now available in Australian vehicles."

Pandora is a key launch application of Ford’s ‘AppLink’ technology. Ford AppLink uses voice-activated technology to connect drivers with their favourite smartphone applications while driving. When in playing mode and connected to SYNC, Pandora will automatically lock mobile devices and reply entirely on voice and steering wheel commands, minimising distractions for drivers.

Ford Asia Pacific Multimedia Systems Supervisor Adrian McGibbon commented, "With Pandora’s solid footprint of over 2 million registered listeners in Australia and New Zealand, we are excited to bring our global partnership with the brand to Australia and New Zealand with SYNC AppLink."

Pandora in Australia also partnered with Holden and Mazda, and will soon be released on new model Nissans.