Apple's Car Keys feature will support unlocking, locking, and starting future Great Wall Motor Tank luxury SUVs [1].
This expansion marks a strategic move by Apple to deepen its ecosystem integration within the Chinese automotive market. By partnering with Great Wall Motor (GWM), Apple increases the utility of the Wallet app for luxury vehicle owners in one of the world's largest auto markets [1], [2].
Reports indicate that the digital key capability will allow compatible iPhone and Apple Watch devices to communicate with the vehicle's systems [3]. This integration relies on near-field communication (NFC) technology, enabling users to bypass traditional physical keys entirely [2], [4].
The discovery of this upcoming support stems from code changes found within Apple's Wallet backend [1]. While the specific rollout date for the vehicles has not been announced, the evidence suggests the feature is intended for future models in the Tank luxury SUV line [4].
Apple has been steadily expanding the list of supported automakers for its digital key system. This move allows GWM to offer a more modern, convenient access method to its customers, aligning the Tank brand with other high-end manufacturers that have adopted the technology [3].
Integration of the Car Keys feature typically involves a secure handshake between the device and the vehicle's hardware. This ensures that only authorized devices can grant access or ignite the engine, maintaining security while improving user convenience [2].
Great Wall Motor is a major Chinese automotive manufacturer, and the Tank brand specifically targets the luxury SUV segment [3]. The addition of Apple Wallet support reflects a broader industry trend toward the digitalization of vehicle access and ownership [1].
“Apple's Car Keys feature will support unlocking, locking, and starting future Great Wall Motor Tank luxury SUVs.”
The partnership signals Apple's continued effort to make the iPhone an indispensable hub for automotive control. By integrating with a major Chinese player like GWM, Apple secures a foothold in the luxury SUV sector of the Chinese market, potentially pressuring other regional automakers to adopt its proprietary digital key standards to remain competitive.
