TORONTO - BlackBerry Ltd. (TSX:BB) has signed an agreement with Ford Motor Co. to expand the use of the firm's automotive and security software in the car manufacturer's vehicles.

The deal will see a team of BlackBerry employees work directly with Ford to beef up how its technology is used to create safe, connected vehicles.

The head of BlackBerry QNX, John Wall, says the agreement is the first to cut out the middleman between BlackBerry and an automaker. Previously, automakers would buy products that use QNX software from other companies.

He said the company hopes to sign similar deals with other automakers in the future.

BlackBerry's QNX software already powers Ford's interactive SYNC 3 infotainment system and is in more than 60 million cars.