Ford signed-up 1,000 developers for a programme enabling developers to create apps which integrate with in-car systems in the first 48 hours following its launch.

According to TNW, the company is seeing interest in its Ford Developer Program from around the world, with one million AppLink-enabled cars already in the market – and another one million set to join them in 2013.

Ford kicked-off its programme at CES 2013, although it has been talking about working with app developers for some time – including a keynote appearance at the 2012 Mobile World Congress.

The company said that using its Sync connectivity and AppLink API, developers can create software which will directly interface with a car and “create apps that will enhance the driving experience”.

According to TNW, apps will undergo a “strict monitoring and approval process”, with anything which displays rich media content or requires excessive use of a device expected to be denied.

Ford has been in a beta test with a set of invited developers to work out details of the SDK, documentation and technical support systems.

It said that with “more than three dozen” AppLink-compatible apps publicly available on iOS and Android, it is now “mature enough that Ford engineers are ready to let the vast ecosystem of developers try it out”.

Developers will have access to technical support directly from Ford engineers and online discussion forums, and Michigan, US-based jacAPPS is the recommended app development house for developrs wanting help building it.

Sync was introduced in 2007, as a way to connect and control mobile phones and digital music players used in-car.