GM Reportedly Blocks Dealership From Installing CarPlay in Newer EVs

[MacRumors]

A few years ago, the American automaker General Motors (GM) announced that it would be phasing out support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its new electric vehicles, in favor of its own software platform. It was a controversial decision, as many drivers who are in the market for a new vehicle consider CarPlay to be a must-have feature.

Looking to capitalize on the situation, one GM dealership near Detroit, Michigan last year partnered with a third party to offer an aftermarket CarPlay installation service in GM's newer EV models. But, according to a report this week from automotive blog The Drive (via The Verge), GM recently blocked the dealership from offering that service due to safety concerns.

"We have made the difficult decision to discontinue this product," said White Automotive & Media Services, on its website that previously offered the CarPlay installation service. "This was not a decision we made lightly, but due to a variety of factors, continuing to offer this product is no longer viable in the long term," it said.

A spokesperson for GM told The Drive that unapproved aftermarket services "could affect critical safety features," and pose other issues.

"Aftermarket services that introduce features not originally designed, thoroughly tested, and approved by GM may cause unintended issues for customers," the GM spokesperson said, in response to this matter. "These issues could affect critical safety features and may also void portions of the vehicle's warranty."

It is unclear if the aftermarket CarPlay system actually poses any safety issues, or if GM is simply unhappy that one dealership decided to go against the company's decision to focus on its own software platform. It is also unclear if customers who already had the installation service completed will be affected in any way.

Update: A source connected to GM told us that the aftermarket CarPlay installation impacted critical vehicle functions and vehicle performance, and they said that future software updates might break CarPlay functionality.

Article Link: GM Reportedly Blocks Dealership From Installing CarPlay in Newer EVs

 

[DHagan4755]

GM is being run by clueless executives.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Pathetic ...but about what I'd expect

I've had multiple Chevy Bolt EVs and LOVE THEM

But they are great largely because they were collabs with LG and mostly just Chevy in name/badging. I give them credit, for sure, for creating a simple and reliable, "it just works", car platform for it though. GM does know how to make a basic reliable "car".

It's hard to imagine buying another GM EV given how they've acted in the last few years around some of these decisions.

 

[FredTX92]

Apple needs to fix the Bluetooth on the 15 Pro. It never connects to CarPlay automatically and the audio issues are horrendous.

 

[moabal]

Hope GM fails. People want CarPlay it is simple as that.

 

[jsavvy]

I know car makers really want our data, but this seems over the top. Why not let the vehicle owner choose what software suite they prefer to use in their own car?

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Pathetic ...but about what I'd expect

I've had multiple Chevy Bolt EVs and LOVE THEM

But they are great largely because they were collabs with LG and mostly just Chevy in name/badging. I give them credit, for sure, for creating a simple and reliable, "it just works", car platform for it though. GM does know how to make a basic reliable "car".

It's hard to imagine buying another GM EV given how they've acted in the last few years around some of these decisions.

I absolutely love my EUV. I'd consider upgrading, or maybe getting a 2026 EUV, if they had CarPlay. But an additional $15/month or whatever they are charging now is a bit much for me so that I can use Spotify handsfree and maps.

The Honda badged Blazer looks nice, I just wish it had a bit better charging speed.

 

[attohs]

Garbage Motors

 

[bbednarz]

Apple needs to fix the Bluetooth on the 15 Pro. It never connects to CarPlay automatically and the audio issues are horrendous.

Wireless CarPlay uses Wi-Fi.

 

[GMShadow]

It is unclear if the aftermarket CarPlay system actually poses any safety issues, or if GM is simply unhappy that one dealership decided to go against the company's decision to focus on its own software platform. It is also unclear if customers who already had the installation service completed will be affected in any way.

Honda sells a rebadged version of the Blazer EV using the same infotainment platform, and it has CarPlay/Android Auto enabled because Honda wanted it enabled.

Mary Barra is just a greedy crook who drifts from thing to thing, usually 4-5 years too late.

 

[FredTX92]

Wireless CarPlay uses Wi-Fi.

Not on aftermarket units for older cars.

 

[Eric8199]

I just bought a new car. I bought a Ford. Did not even look at GM specifically for this reason. Very stupid move by them.

 

[Princejb134]

Apple needs to fix the Bluetooth on the 15 Pro. It never connects to CarPlay automatically and the audio issues are horrendous.

sounds like a car issue. I used to have the same issue with my 2021 sonata where it would randomly disconnect. Dealership would blame apple software while apple would blame the car software. 1 year later Hyundai pushed a software update to the radio for the wireless carplay and all the issues went away.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Many car manufacturerd are moving to service models. Soon you'll be paying a monthly fee for your brakes and you better make sure your subscription doesn't expire when you're going downhill

 

[MallardDuck]

I won't buy a car that doesn't support carplay (or requires a subscription). First thing I do is to pull the connected services by disabling the cell modem. I don't need to be tracked at that level.

 

[Prof.]

Another reason to never buy GM.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The Honda badged Blazer looks nice, I just wish it had a bit better charging speed.

Agreed on that ... might be something I'd consider preowned down the line.

How bad is charging speed & curve?
I haven't looked into that model much

 

[jml12286]

We have a Lightning with Carplay and Tesla without. As the Tesla does have a nice UI and all, I still prefer using Carplay in the Ford
I feel like having Carplay would make sense for any auto maker to just add on. It can be used without taking away from the main underlying UI that can still also be used.

 

[nt5672]

Never been a Chevy fan. If you want reliability then it is Toyota, Nissan, Honda. If you want American, then the only real choice is Ford.

 

[ShivneelSingh]

I was able to experience CarPlay in 2013 with an aftermarket Pioneer headunit on my 2004 Mazda 6s. Ever since then, I was hooked! In 2015, when I was ready to buy a new car, CarPlay integration was a priority. Same in 2020, CarPlay was a priority, and will always be since it's so easy to use and perfect.

It has a lot to do with familiarity and comfortability. Planning a trip, creating a playlist, etc. can be done on my Mac and I know it sync to my CarPlay.

GM should focus on building cars and leave infotainment alone.

 

[jwilson25]

Not on aftermarket units for older cars.

Yes it does, that’s exactly how it works on the Wireless CarPlay adapter I installed on my Jeep and in my wife’s Durango. You can see it connected to the WiFi on the adapter if you go into settings.

 

[turbineseaplane]

We have a Lightning with Carplay and Tesla without. As the Tesla does have a nice UI and all, I still prefer using Carplay in the Ford
I feel like having Carplay would make sense for any auto maker to just add on. It can be used without taking away from the main underlying UI that can still also be used.

There is never a reason not to offer Carplay, that isn't simply trying to force folks into paying for the same or similar functionality.

 

[victorvictoria]

The last "American" car I owned was a used 1986 Dodge Omni. It was a piece of crap and as soon as we had the money, we bought a Toyota Tercel, followed by two Camrys, an Acura Integra, and Honda Accord. None of them gave us any problems until the radio burned out on the second Camry. The dealer replaced it for free due to a recall. We now own two Volvos: a 2013 S60 & a 2022 XC40. Not one single repair on either.


the 2022 volvo has CarPlay, and there's no way I'd buy another car without it. As for "buying American," the XC40 was made in South Carolina. Buying a shoddy product from one of the Big Three just encourages them to keep on building shoddy products. So in my future I don't see a Ford, GM or what is it now; Chrysler/Daimler/Fiat/Stellantis. Is that even American?

 

[DogHouseDub]

one GM dealership near Detroit, Michigan last year began offering an aftermarket CarPlay installation service

It's Detroit versus Everybody.

 

[victorvictoria]

Pathetic ...but about what I'd expect

I've had multiple Chevy Bolt EVs and LOVE THEM

But they are great largely because they were collabs with LG and mostly just Chevy in name/badging. I give them credit, for sure, for creating a simple and reliable, "it just works", car platform for it though. GM does know how to make a basic reliable "car".

It's hard to imagine buying another GM EV given how they've acted in the last few years around some of these decisions.

So in 7 years of production for the Bolt (2016-2023) you've owned "multiple" Bolts? And love them? I've owned my Volvo S60 for 13 years and counting with not one single repair (other than maintenance). That's something to love!