GM Admits No Technical Reason CarPlay Couldn't Be in Future EVs

[MacRumors]

Earlier this year, General Motors revealed it is planning to phase out support for CarPlay and Android Auto in all of its electric vehicles, citing the need for tighter integration with the vehicle as GM rolls out a new infotainment system co-developed with Google.

With this week's high-profile unveiling of the $130,000+ Cadillac Escalade IQ that will launch in late 2024, GM followed through on its promise as the automaker confirmed to The Verge yesterday that the luxury electric SUV won't support CarPlay or Android Auto anywhere on its massive 55-inch dashboard display.

The move to discontinue to CarPlay and Android Auto is more of a political one than a technical one, however, as MacRumors alum and car journalist Jordan Golson noted in his video overview of the new Escalade IQ.

Golson spoke to GM representatives about the omission and they shared that the decision was made due to EV-specific functionality such as utilizing vehicle charge state information to assist with navigation routing. When using CarPlay or Android Auto, the user's phone has no knowledge of the vehicle's charge state, and GM believes that forcing users to use the built-in Google-based system which can account for this information will deliver a better user experience.

Golson says that given this is not a technical decision, GM could update the infotainment system on the Escalade IQ and other upcoming EVs to add CarPlay and Android Auto if it finds customers are demanding it, but there are no guarantees about what GM will do.

While GM's argument about tighter integration with vehicle data does have some merit, there is nothing preventing the company from offering users the option of using either the built-in system or CarPlay/Android Auto, as is the case in millions of vehicles on the road today.

Apple's next-generation CarPlay​

It also appears the argument could largely become moot with the next-generation version of CarPlay teased by Apple at WWDC 2022, which integrates very closely with vehicle systems and expands the CarPlay experience across the entire dashboard. We should learn more about next-generation CarPlay and see the first vehicles introduced with it later this year, but GM is not included in the list of over a dozen brands announced by Apple as partners on the feature.

Article Link: GM Admits No Technical Reason CarPlay Couldn't Be in Future EVs

 

[BradWI]

They can sell lucrative location-based ads on the built-in navigation system. They can't do that if you use CarPlay. Plus many other monetization opportunities.

 

[MonkeySpank158]

having just finally upgraded to a car with car play, I would definitely not purchase a vehicle without it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

No CarPlay!
What a dumb decision!

GM is going to lose so much money. They're going to love selling fewer cars. It's going to be fun to watch!

 

[tripsync]

In the future meaning after Tesla puts them out of business? 😂

 

[erikkfi]

So are they right? Does Apple make no affordance for vehicle charging data? If that’s true, there is a potential user experience issue with CarPlay.

 

[MonkeySpank158]

Doesn't matter. GM is going bankrupt because of Tesla. Mary lead GM to the ground.

they probably are banking on the popularity of Tesla despite the lack of CarPlay

 

[rgwebb]

Seeing no future integration between their products and my garage.

 

[Exile714]

Yikes, both the GM and the proposed Apple CarPlay expansion are way too much info for a car. Looks pretty, but I really just want the basics (navigation, climate, music, car status/speed, and turn cameras) when I'm driving. No thanks on upcoming calendar, multiple time zone clocks, detailed weather forecasts...

 

[SactoGuy18]

I wouldn't be surprised that GM will likely offer a quasi-Carplay integration option that allows phone connectivity and the ability to play music/podcasts from the iPhone's own apps, but reserves the navigation to its own app.

 

[moabal]

So are they are starting to backpedal?

 

[rgwebb]

they probably are banking on the popularity of Tesla despite the lack of CarPlay

Tesla had first mover advantage in the EV market. I see Tesla surviving as a niche car brand that primarily handles charging infrastructure.

GM seeing what they want to see to justify executive avarice to shake down their customers for services they get for free on their phone. I understand that a bit when someone is basically giving something away. I don't understand it when the customer just handed you 100k for your Gillette razor handle on wheels.

 

[AppleMad98004]

This is about monetization. I was working for a firm that was looking to partner with automakers for services. Think a subscription to order DoorDash from the car, use MS Teams/Zoom in the car, media/movies etc, get location data and sell it to third parties etc. Automakers will charge for this in the future. CarPlay essentially runs on the phone and Apple controls it. This is the issue.

 

[jz0309]

they announced that the Bolt will be discontinued at the end of this year.
then they announced that a new bolt will come in 2024 supposedly ...

they will change their mind on CarPlay, it might not matte that much for $100k+ vehicles but if you get down to more affordable ranges, it will matter ...

 

[Sasparilla]

They can sell lucrative location-based ads on the built-in navigation system. They can't do that if you use CarPlay. Plus many other monetization opportunities.

Almost certainly this. Although not widely known, not only do dealers make most of their money off repairs (engine and trans) and service - but so do the Mfr's as the parts prices way jacked up. They have no idea how to get that with EV's - here you can see GM looking to do that (some) probably data mining the car owners.

It would seem there is going to be an oversupply of huge +$50k EV's in the next couple of years, so maybe GM may reconsider if their late to the market EV's aren't selling well, but they're trying to keep CarPlay etc. out for a reason.

they announced that the Bolt will be discontinued at the end of this year.
then they announced that a new bolt will come in 2024 supposedly ...

I don't think its coming back next year - as their using the Bolt's factory / line to produce another vehicle. From the Washington Post "General Motors said it will bring a new model of the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle to market on an undisclosed date".

The Bolt will be on a new platform (Ultium or something) so redesign. Guessing we won't see a Bolt replacement till late 2025, if they're rushing like crazy - but I seriously doubt they're rushing. The longer it takes the more likely they'll be able to break even or make a profit on the new gen Bolt (as battery costs, normally, decline with time), but I'd guess 2026 or later on that.

 

[bradman83]

So are they right? Does Apple make no affordance for vehicle charging data? If that’s true, there is a potential user experience issue with CarPlay.

I think it goes a bit deeper than that. Next generation CarPlay has deeper access to the car's onboard computer and can read things like tachometer, fuel levels, and control the climate control system. There's no reason battery charge wouldn't be one of the available items to interface over. (Even today CarPlay displays low fuel warning indicators when my car's internal low fuel indicator goes off).

GM previously said that their decision was based specifically on battery conditioning; if the vehicle knows it's being navigated to a charging station then it can take steps to prime the battery to receive its charge. This likely does go beyond CarPlay's capabilities.

 

[maflynn]

This is about monetization.

You said it more succinctly and accurately then I did. Its all about generating income and selling our privacy and driving habits

 

[PWally2]

Suspect people have more loyalty to their phone brand than their ride’s

 

[damnhandy]

No CarPlay!
What a dumb decision!

GM is going to lose so much money. They're going to love selling fewer cars. It's going to be fun to watch!

Tesla does not offer Car Play either, and they seem to be doing just fine.

 

[fatTribble]

Total.
Dealbreaker.

 

[tdar]

BMW tried this. It didn’t work. Customers had a fit. They had to give up.
I don’t think that GM is going to do any better. I have been a GM customer all of my life, over 40 years. But I won’t be buying anything from them until they put the CarPlay back on.

PS If they had CarPlay and found out that they were right about the non ev data they could easily make an app that would show any data that they felt you needed to see. Just like some manufacturers have a carplay app that has the name of the brand on it. They already have a Cadillac app.

 

[dominiongamma]

GM will lose on this and cave in two years and customers will be pissed if their cars can’t be updated to do carplay. They locked themselves in a corner

 

[bradman83]

They can sell lucrative location-based ads on the built-in navigation system. They can't do that if you use CarPlay. Plus many other monetization opportunities.

More than that, GM has publicly stated that accessing streaming services like Spotify will likely be an added subscription cost (you just get 7 years of Google Maps and Google Assistant with purchase). Otherwise you'll have to Bluetooth stream your music from your phone.

 

[CoconutMan]

I would not buy any new vehicle (no matter the price range) without CarPlay.

 

[macguru212]

Crikey that dash is an eyesore. Give me some simple gauges and call it a day, maybe one screen for maps/Carplay.