Apple Maps finally challenges Google Maps with this big move

Apple Maps will be the native mapping service in Ford's next electric car, expanding Apple's foothold in automotive, while also raising the competition with Google's in-car mapping.

Importantly, this is standalone Apple Maps, using Apple's MapKit for Automotive SDK, so it will work without the need for a smartphone for the first time.

That will see Apple Maps completely integrated into the car, providing natural language searching, turn-by-turn navigation and traffic information, while there will also be detailed location information.

MapKit for Automotive SDK allows Ford to customise the look and feel of Apple Maps so it will fit with the rest of the interface, while it will also benefit from special EV routing options and battery preconditioning, to aid efficient charging when on the road.

Ford has also outlined that will be using the information in Apple Maps to develop its BlueCruise handsfree driving system, designed to let you take your hands off the wheel when driving on "highways". Ford's BlueCruise remains the only legal "hands off, eyes on" system that's approved in the UK.

Although it offers natural language searching, it's not clear what system that will be - it's unilkely to bundle in Siri with the maps, so it's likely that it will use the new Ford AI assistant that was announced earlier in the year.

Although Apple Maps will work without a smartphone, Ford is going to continue to support Apple CarPlay and it's likely that the brand will also support Android Auto.

Speaking of Google, the Mountain View company current leads Apple with in-car software, with many brands using Android Automotive which offers a native experience for a suite of Google services, including Google Maps with Gemini voice support.

Ford has used Android Automotive as the base system for its vehicles for some time and it's not clear whether this new announcement marks a departure from Android Automotive, or whether Apple Maps is simply going to be layered on top of an Android foundation.

Car makers, having initially embraced smartphone-based systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, now seem to be rethinking their strategy. Brands like Mercedes and BMW are keen to own the user experience, offering support for all the apps that a driver might want from their phone, so they don't just plug in and go.

The option to have Apple Maps as a native experience might prove popular: if car brands can offer the Apple navigation that iPhone owners are used to, they may decide not to connect their phone to use Apple CarPlay and instead use more native systems on the car instead.

That might avoid one of the most jarring experiences when driving and that's the mismatch in software when moving from CarPlay back to the car's own software systems.

Apple Maps is expected to make its debut in Ford's new midsize EV, slated for launch in 2027, with a $30,000 price tag.