Apple’s backend code for Car Key just picked up references to three more automakers. Lincoln, Freelander, and Lucid all now appear in the system Apple uses to manage which vehicles can unlock and start with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The additions were spotted by developer Aaron Perris. Backend references like these have preceded real Car Key launches before, though Apple has not confirmed a timeline or named specific vehicle models for any of the three.
Lincoln needs no introduction, but Freelander is a new brand built by the Chery Jaguar Land Rover joint venture in China, reviving a Land Rover nameplate that hasn’t been used since 2015. Its first model, the Freelander 8, entered production this past July, with plans to export the brand to international markets over the next few years.
Lucid isn’t a first-time addition either. Similar code pointed to Lucid and Xiaomi support back in July, and Apple separately named Lucid in a batch of 13 upcoming Car Key brands announced in December 2025, alongside Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, and Rivian. A second appearance in the backend months later suggests the integration is getting closer to actually launching.
The Lincoln, Freelander, and Lucid additions follow a string of Chinese automaker names appearing in Apple’s backend over the past two months. Great Wall Motor’s Tank SUVs turned up in July, and Haval, another Great Wall Motor brand, followed just two weeks later.
Apple Car Key already works with more than 50 vehicle models across brands including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Toyota, and Rivian, using an iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start a compatible car.
Our Take
Backend code turning up months before an actual launch is standard practice for Apple, so nobody should expect Lincoln or Freelander support this week. Apple has been quietly adding more and more vehicles over time, which is a positive sign for Car Key support. This is in stark contrast to Apple’s CarPlay Ultra efforts, which have gained very little traction since anouncement.
