Apple and Ford announced today that the American automaker will use Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK in their new Universal Electric Vehicle platform coming next year. Ford will be the first to integrate Apple Maps natively into it’s vehicle navigation system without the need for CarPlay.

“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. “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.”

Ford’s rumored first vehicle on the UEV platform will be a mid-sized pickup truck starting at around $30,000 due next year:

“Our new midsize electric vehicle will be priced around $30,000 and redefines what advanced technology can be — simple, useful, and truly attainable for more customers,” said Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company’s CEO. “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.”

With the help of their new MapKit for Automotive SDK, Apple could finally have a foothold into their larger automotive aspirations first announced as “CarPlay 2”, now known as CarPlay Ultra, over four years ago. Unfortunately, even though numerous automakers said they would eventually adopt the next-generation CarPlay, only one, Aston Martin, has any vehicles currently shipping with it.

Apple’s press release:
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/07/apple-maps-to-power-navigation-experience-for-ford-uev-platform/

Ford’s press release:
https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2026/apple-maps-to-power-navigation-for-ford-universal-electric-vehicle

After nearly 15 years, Tim Cook, the longest serving CEO in the company’s 50 year history, is stepping down on September 1st according to Apple.

It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be the CEO of Apple and to have been trusted to lead such an extraordinary company. I love Apple with all of my being, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with a team of such ingenious, innovative, creative, and deeply caring people who have been unwavering in their dedication to enriching the lives of our customers and creating the best products and services in the world.

John Ternus, the current senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, and long rumored to be Cook’s successor, will take over as CEO as Cook transitions into the new executive chairman of Apple’s board of directors.

Cook on Ternus:

John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future. I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.

Taking over as CEO on September 1st means the first public keynote appearance by Ternus as CEO will be the all important iPhone Apple Event, usually held every year in the first half of September.

Personally I’m very much looking forward to his tenure as CEO of Apple. There’s no doubt that Tim Cook has catapulted Apple to one of the most valued and recognizable brands in history over the last 15 years. But many complain about the lack of vision and excitement the company once had during the Steve Jobs era. There are, of course, only so many product categories you can get into, and most of them were conquered under Jobs.

I and many other lifelong Apple fans are very much looking forward to what the engineering mindset of John Ternus can bring to Apple. Especially in this rapidly changing era of A.I. coupled with all the government and global manufacturing uncertainties we’re dealing with today.