Last week I wrote about a deal between Microsoft and Ford to include a Microsoft-made computer system inside select Ford vehicles.  It's not a marriage that I'm particularly excited about.  The Auto Channel published a press release from Yahoo today announcing a deal between the search company and Dash Navigation Inc. to include Yahoo Local content in Dash Express, another car-based computer system.

The information from Yahoo Local will be presented in an address book format that will make it easy for Dash Express users to find local businesses.  By performing a Yahoo Local search in their car, users can plot a route to local business with a few button presses.  Users can also search for specific items that they're looking for and the Dash Express + Yahoo Local system will route them to nearby businesses that might stock the items.  In addition to directories and directions, reviews and ratings from Yahoo Local are fed into the system so drivers can see what other consumers have said about the products and services they're looking for.

While the system is a little different than the one Microsoft announced last week, it still ties together two companies with competing search products.  I'll be shocked if Microsoft isn't using or doesn't have plans to use its search product in the Ford system.  And with Yahoo joining the mix, that just leaves one company out:  Google.  Should we hold our breaths for a Google-powered automobile computer system?

An even better question might be:  with all of these people using the computer in their cars, who's watching the road?