Apple Maps is becoming Ford’s new navigation mode for select vehicles

Apple announced a partnership with Ford to integrate Apple Maps directly into Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform through Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK, launching in 2027. The integration will provide turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic, intelligent EV routing, and battery preconditioning, and will also supply road-level data for Ford's Latitude AI team to develop hands-free driving. Ford CEO said the company is "among the first" to embed Apple Maps directly into a vehicle, with more automaker partnerships expected.

Today Apple announced https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/07/apple-maps-to-power-navigation-experience-for-ford-uev-platform/ a unique partnership with automaker Ford, which will bake Apple Maps into its upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle UEV Platform for navigation. Here are the details. Apple Maps is coming to Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle Platform in 2027 Apple and Ford today announced that Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle UEV Platform through Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK. Coming to Ford’s UEV Platform in 2027, this integration will deliver a beautiful and easy-to-use navigation experience powered by Apple Maps directly to the vehicle’s displays. Road-level Maps information will also enable Ford’s Latitude AI team to build a seamless hands-free driving experience. Leveraging Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle Platform will offer drivers turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination. Additionally, Ford UEV drivers will benefit from an intelligent EV routing functionality, including battery preconditioning. Ford will also use road-level information from Apple Maps as part of the development of its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability to deliver a more seamless on-ramp-to-off-ramp experience. In other words, Ford’s UEV models will get the Apple Maps navigation experience currently offered by CarPlay, complete with intelligent EV routing and battery preconditioning, all baked right into the vehicle. Apple confirms that CarPlay will still be available as an option. But thanks to this direct integration, even drivers who don’t have an iPhone will be able to use Apple Maps. It sounds like this is only the first such deal to be announced, with more expected. Ford’s CEO says, “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.” Rather than being “the first,” Ford will be “among the first” per his quote. Apple also hints at additional partnerships in the press release. It says, “This integration is made possible by Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, which allows automakers to embed and customize Apple Maps.” What do you think of Apple Maps being baked into vehicles? Let us know in the comments. Best iPhone accessories AirPods Pro 3 https://amzn.to/3Peq3Ge now only $199 , down from $249 MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone https://amzn.to/4tSJYde 10-year AirTag battery case https://amzn.to/4e6O6R2 100W USB-C fast charging power adapter https://amzn.to/48EbPVU AirTag 2 https://amzn.to/48BACtL 1-pack https://amzn.to/48BACtL / 4-pack https://amzn.to/3OFX4Lv FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. https://9to5mac.com/about/ affiliate our homepage http://9to5mac.com/ for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on exclusive stories https://9to5mac.com/feature/exclusive/ , reviews https://9to5mac.com/guides/review/ , how-tos https://9to5mac.com/guides/how-to/ , and subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/9to5mac