Ford’s Upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle Platform to use Apple Maps for Navigation
For the first time, Apple Maps will be natively integrated into an automaker’s navigation system.
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