Ford has explained why it chose Apple Maps over Google Maps for its upcoming Fathom electric vehicle, which will run on the company’s new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform and use Apple Maps directly inside Ford’s own software.
GreenCars spoke with Alan Clarke, Ford’s vice president of advanced vehicle projects, who said the company considered Apple, Google, and other mapping providers before deciding that Apple offered the best overall solution for the vehicle.
Clarke said Apple Maps has improved significantly in recent years, while Apple’s team also worked closely with Ford to meet the specific needs of an electric vehicle. Ford wanted accurate mapping data that could support range estimates, charging stops, elevation, weather information, and battery preconditioning.
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Apple Maps will run natively inside Ford’s system
According to Clarke, Ford wanted close integration with its mapping provider because EV navigation depends on more than basic directions. The vehicle needs current charger information and accurate route data to calculate how much energy a trip will require and when the battery should prepare for charging.
Ford also believes Apple Maps will look good on the Fathom’s large display, which Clarke described as an important part of the overall customer experience.
However, Ford is not bringing CarPlay Ultra to the Fathom. Apple Maps will instead run natively through Ford’s own in-car platform, while standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will remain available.
That means drivers will still be able to use Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, and other compatible navigation apps through CarPlay while also having Apple Maps built directly into the vehicle.
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