Apple and Ford have announced that Apple Maps will power the navigation system in Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, set to launch in 2027 with a price around $30,000. This integration utilizes Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK, enabling Ford to embed Apple Maps directly into vehicle displays while maintaining custom design elements.

Drivers will benefit from natural language search, real-time traffic data, and intelligent EV routing with battery preconditioning. The mapping data will also enhance Ford's BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. Eddy Cue, Apple's SVP of Services, stated that Maps provides a "world-class product" and the SDK allows for seamless integration into Ford vehicles. Jim Farley, Ford's CEO, highlighted the vehicle's affordability and advanced technology, emphasizing the "ultimate navigation experience."

This marks a significant move for Apple in the automotive sector beyond CarPlay. Ford is among the first automakers to directly embed Apple's navigation engine, though CarPlay will remain available. Apple assures privacy by not collecting individual user location data through the vehicle's mapping system.