Ford and Apple announce that Apple Maps will be embedded into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, starting with a midsize electric pickup expected to launch in 2027 at a starting price of around $30,000. The companies say Apple’s MapKit for Automotive SDK will allow Ford to integrate Apple Maps navigation directly into the vehicle’s displays as a native in-car feature, rather than relying on a phone-based interface. Drivers will get turn-by-turn directions that use natural-language search, real-time traffic and incident information, and EV-aware routing. Apple Maps integration is also described as providing “road-level” mapping data that Ford plans to use in developing its next-generation hands-free highway driving system, an updated version of BlueCruise. Ford also says the UEV Platform will use a zonal architecture. Apple and Ford add that Ford will still offer CarPlay as an additional input method for drivers who prefer iPhone integration. Multiple outlets describe Ford as moving toward Apple’s mapping and navigation technology as a core part of its new EV software and driver-assistance strategy, beginning with the 2027 rollout and followed by additional vehicles on the platform.