Apple and Ford have announced a new partnership that will bring Apple Maps directly into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, starting in 2027.
Instead of relying only on Apple CarPlay, future Ford electric vehicles will feature Apple Maps as a built-in navigation system across the vehicle’s displays.
The integration is powered by Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, allowing Ford to embed Apple Maps directly into its infotainment system while customizing the interface to match the vehicle’s design. Drivers will get turn-by-turn navigation with natural voice guidance, real-time traffic and incident updates, intelligent route planning, detailed place information, and search tools to make finding destinations easier.
Ford’s upcoming EVs will also include intelligent EV routing. The system can plan routes based on battery levels and automatically prepare the battery before arriving at a charging station, helping improve charging performance and efficiency during long trips.
Beyond navigation, Ford will use road-level data from Apple Maps to improve its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free driving system. The company says this will help create a smoother driving experience from highway on-ramps to off-ramps by giving the system more accurate map information.
Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services and Health, Eddy Cue, said Apple Maps already offers one of the best navigation experiences available, and the new MapKit for Automotive SDK will allow automakers to bring that same technology directly into their vehicles with seamless integration.
Ford CEO Jim Farley said the company’s upcoming midsize electric vehicle, expected to start at around $30,000, is designed to make advanced technology more accessible. He said embedding Apple Maps directly into Ford’s new EV platform, alongside the Ford app, new software features, and next-generation BlueCruise, will provide customers with a more intuitive driving experience.
Apple also emphasized that privacy remains a key part of the integration. The built-in Apple Maps system follows the same privacy principles as the Apple Maps app, meaning Apple does not collect drivers’ location data or map activity in a way that can be linked to an individual user.
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Although Apple Maps will become a native part of Ford’s new electric vehicle platform, Apple CarPlay will continue to be available in Ford vehicles, allowing drivers to access iPhone apps and features while on the road safely.
