Overview
- Jim Farley said, “We don’t like the execution in round one of Ultra,” noting he has discussed the matter repeatedly with Tim Cook and Apple’s team.
- He questioned whether Apple would control starting the car, speed limits, or access and emphasized the need for direct, predictable ADAS handoffs.
- Ford signaled no timeline for adopting Ultra and described a wait-and-see posture as discussions with Apple continue.
- The automaker reaffirmed support for standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and said its Android Automotive–based Digital Experience is designed to enhance phone mirroring rather than replace it.
- CarPlay Ultra launched in May on newer Aston Martin models in the U.S. and Canada, with Apple citing work with Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, and it requires an iPhone 12 or newer running iOS 18.5 or later.