Apple’s Car Key feature is heading to Great Wall Motor’s Tank lineup, according to code changes discovered in Apple’s Wallet app backend. MacRumors discovered the change, revealing that Apple is preparing infrastructure to support digital car keys across GWM’s premium off-road SUV brand.
Tank vehicles including the 300, 400, 500, and 700 models already support Apple CarPlay but currently lack Car Key functionality. The integration would allow owners to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles using an iPhone or Apple Watch held near the vehicle’s NFC reader, like a physical key.
This discovery fits within a much broader expansion of Car Keys across the automotive industry in 2026. Toyota began offering the feature in February with the 2026 RAV4. Porsche followed with support for the 2026 Macan EV and 2026 Cayenne EV. Volkswagen is also in the pipeline, with code discoveries suggesting imminent launch. Xiaomi and Lucid Motors are similarly preparing to add the feature, discovered in iOS 27 beta code published in July.
Apple is now embedding Car Key support into existing vehicles through over-the-air updates and partnerships with manufacturers across multiple continents. This approach removes friction that plagued earlier adoption, where only flagship models or specific trim levels supported the feature.
Great Wall Motor owns multiple vehicle brands already integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, including Haval, Ora, Wey, and Poer. In 2025, Apple announced that 13 additional brands would eventually support Car Keys, including GWM’s Wey brand alongside Acura, Cadillac, Chery, Chevrolet, GMC, Hongqi, Porsche, Rivian, Smart, Tata Motors, and Voyah. Tank’s addition suggests Apple is moving faster than originally planned in some segments, particularly in China where premium EV adoption is outpacing Western markets.
The addition shows Apple’s deepening push into China’s automotive sector at a critical moment. Great Wall Motor is among China’s largest independent automakers and Tank is its fastest-growing brand in the luxury off-road segment. By securing early Car Key integration with Tank, Apple gains significant ground in a market where digital wallet adoption rates already exceed those in North America. For Tank owners, the feature removes one of the last barriers to an entirely digital vehicle experience.
