Ford is set to integrate Apple Maps into its forthcoming universal electric vehicle (UEV) Platform starting in 2027, drawing on Apple's newly introduced MapKit for automotive software development kit.

The move will put Apple Maps navigation directly onto the vehicle's built-in displays, incorporating turn-by-turn directions with natural language prompts, live traffic and incident updates, place search with detailed listings, and multiple route options.

Drivers of UEV models will also gain access to intelligent routing designed for EVs, which includes battery preconditioning functionality.

Beyond navigation, road-level mapping data supplied through Apple Maps will feed into Ford's Latitude AI division, which is working on hands-free driving technology.

Ford indicated this data will support the next generation of its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system, with the aim of achieving a smoother transition from on-ramp to off-ramp.

MapKit for Automotive is designed to let carmakers embed and adapt Apple Maps to suit each vehicle's own interface, while also supplying the road-level detail required for hands-free driving systems.

Apple stated that the SDK adheres to the same “privacy principles” as its standalone Maps app, adding that it “does not collect users’ location details and activity on the vehicle’s map in a way that can be tied back to the individual user”.

Ford confirmed that CarPlay will remain available in its vehicles independently of this new integration.

The Apple Maps announcement follows a separate development earlier this month, when Ford signed a long-term strategic customer agreement with chipmaker Micron.

The agreement is intended to secure supplies of memory and storage components for Ford's upcoming vehicle lineup.

Micron said it is increasing output of core automotive memory products and expanding capacity to support long product lifecycles and sustain supply for key manufacturing programmes.