Earlier this year, Apple announced a collaboration with Ford to integrate native Apple Maps into the automaker’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform, which includes the model now known as the Fathom.
In a recent interview, Alan Clarke, Ford’s vice president of advanced vehicle projects, explained the rationale behind choosing Apple Maps over Google Maps and its implications for CarPlay Ultra.
Ford consulted with Apple, Google, and other companies regarding mapping solutions for the Fathom, ultimately deciding to partner with Apple:
“We needed to optimize for performance capabilities, cost, quality—you name it. We spent time determining which was the best solution.
“We had to optimize for performance capabilities cost, quality, you name it. We spent time determining which was the best solution.
A couple of things about Apple Maps.
One is that it has gotten so much better over the last few years. It’s a really great solution. The team that we worked with at Apple was very flexible to ensure that we get the absolute best customer experience.”
A couple of things about Apple Maps.
One is that it has gotten so much better over the last few years. It’s a really great solution. The team that we worked with at Apple was very flexible to ensure that we get the absolute best customer experience.”
Clarke stated that Ford sought a close working relationship with the Apple Maps team. EV mapping involves numerous factors, including range, charger availability, weather, and more. After considering all these aspects, Ford concluded that Apple provides “the best solution.”
“We wanted to make sure that we had really tight integration with that team when we’re talking about the things that have to happen on a vehicle: range estimation and determining how much range you have and how you want to precondition the batteries and how you charge.
“We wanted to make sure that we had really tight integration with that team when we’re talking about the things that have to happen on a vehicle: range estimation and determining how much range you have and how you want to precondition the batteries and how you charge.
You need a great maps provider that has the capability to get elevation, weather, and the maps data to have accurate updated information about chargers.
I think we thought that Apple was the best solution for this vehicle in order to get the customer the best solution.
It’s amazing to be first as well. Apple Maps looks beautiful, and having a large display to be able to put it on we think will be a really big wow factor for our customers when they get to see it.”
You need a great maps provider that has the capability to get elevation, weather, and the maps data to have accurate updated information about chargers.
I think we thought that Apple was the best solution for this vehicle in order to get the customer the best solution.
It’s amazing to be first as well. Apple Maps looks beautiful, and having a large display to be able to put it on we think will be a really big wow factor for our customers when they get to see it.”
Clarke also confirmed that Ford is integrating Apple Maps into its native in-car software platform. The automaker is not implementing CarPlay Ultra in the Fathom. Instead, it will offer native Apple Maps along with standard CarPlay and Android Auto.
With CarPlay support, Ford drivers can choose between Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, and other mapping solutions. They can also easily access numerous excellent third-party CarPlay applications.
You can watch the complete interview on the GreenCars YouTube channel.
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