Key facts
- Ford will natively integrate Apple Maps into its next generation of electric vehicles.
- The system will run on the vehicle's displays and communicate with other car parts.
- Features include traffic information, destination searches, EV route planning, and battery preconditioning.
- The integration will also inform Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system.
- The first vehicle to feature this integration will be a $30,000 midsize truck expected in 2027.
Ford is deepening its technological ties with Apple by integrating Apple Maps natively into the next generation of its electric vehicles, a move that could influence other automakers.
The partnership, announced Thursday, will see Apple's navigation system run directly on the vehicle's displays, providing features such as traffic information, destination searches, EV route planning, and battery preconditioning. This integration will also feed data into Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system, aiming to enhance its capabilities for highway journeys and future point-to-point autonomy.
Notably, drivers will not require an iPhone to use Apple Maps, as the system will operate natively within the vehicle. Ford also anticipates that the integration could enable location-aware features, such as automatically opening a driver's garage door upon arrival.
The first vehicle to feature this advanced integration will be an as-yet-unveiled $30,000 midsize electric pickup truck, expected to reach dealerships in 2027. Ford's Latitude AI subsidiary will leverage road-level data from Apple Maps to further develop its next-generation hands-free driving experience.
This strategic decision positions Ford differently from rivals like General Motors, which is moving away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of its own interface and Google's automotive software. Tesla and Rivian have also maintained control over their in-car software ecosystems, though they offer some individual Apple service integrations.