Apple and Ford have partnered to integrate Apple Maps directly into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform starting in 2027. The news means Ford’s next-gen electric cars will feature built-in navigation powered by Apple’s mapping system directly on the vehicle’s native displays.
The partnership will use Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, a software tool that allows car makers to build Apple Maps features directly into their own dashboard software. Beyond basic navigation, the system will offer turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic updates, place search cards, and EV-specific features like intelligent route planning and battery preconditioning.
Ford also plans to use road-level data from Apple Maps to enhance its Latitude AI driver-assistance technology and next-gen BlueCruise hands-free driving system, aiming for a smoother experience when entering and exiting highways.
“Apple Maps delivers the best map experience in the world, and we’re excited to bring the power of Maps’ navigation technology to Ford’s innovative Universal Electric Vehicle Platform,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services and Health, in a statement on Thursday. “With our new MapKit for Automotive SDK, we’re bringing Maps further into drivers’ daily lives, giving them an incredibly accurate and easy-to-use navigation system that is seamlessly integrated into Ford vehicles.”
“Our new midsize electric vehicle will be priced around $30,000 [US] and redefines what advanced technology can be — simple, useful, and truly attainable for more customers,” said Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company’s CEO, in a statement. “We’re proud to embed Apple Maps’ navigation and mapping technology directly into our Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, giving customers the ultimate navigation experience alongside our Ford app, a full suite of software, and next-generation BlueCruise, all enabled by a new zonal architecture. Apple Maps has delivered a world-class product, and we’re honored to be among the first to embed it directly into a vehicle, helping define intuitive, capable driving.”
Ford confirmed that traditional Apple CarPlay will remain available alongside the new built-in navigation system.
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