Ford picks Apple Maps for its next EV platform and updated BlueCruise

Ford plans to embed Apple Maps directly into its Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, which will start with a $30,000 midsize pickup truck set for release in 2027. In an announcement on Thursday, Ford says it will use Apple Maps to offer “turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options.”

The vehicle will also have an intelligent EV routing feature and battery preconditioning. Since the Apple Maps system will be integrated into Ford’s upcoming platform, drivers won’t need an iPhone to use it — though Ford notes that CarPlay will still be available in its vehicles.

Additionally, Ford announced that it’s working with Apple to build the next generation of its BlueCruise driver-assist system. It will use “road-level information” from Apple Maps to power its hands-free highway driving experience from the on-ramp to the off-ramp. Meanwhile, Ford’s Latitude AI team continues to develop an eyes-off unsupervised driving system, which it expects to be ready in 2028.

A Ford spokesperson clarified that Apple is not directly involved in the development of Ford’s next-generation autonomous driving system. “Apple is not building Ford’s self-driving technology,” Ford’s Amy Mast said in an email. “Ford is developing our next-generation ADAS in-house through Latitude AI, Ford’s wholly owned autonomy subsidiary. Apple Maps will be an important mapping enabler that supports the experience, while Ford continues to own the vehicle hardware, software and driving system.”

Update July 23rd: Updated to include a statement from Ford spokesperson that clarifies Apple’s role.