GM Reportedly Blocks Dealership From Installing CarPlay in Newer EVs

[Dr.Lee]

Having been burned by GM/Chevy a few times early in life, I learned early on not to buy anything from this company, even on the used market.

Not sure why folks are so dedicated to the company. They vacuum up user data and report it to insurance companies for a profit among other abuses. Their external designs are master class in bombast “look at me”, and the internal designs are garish and quickly outdated. The ever unchanging bowtie logo is a statement of unwillingness to change.

 

[magicschoolbus]

No CarPlay.. No Sale!

 

[CapitalIdea]

Fast forward 5 years and the dealership will no longer be in business due to low volume, and will have converted into a business that installs aftermarket systems into the cars and be better off.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

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.

If it’s a latter, that’s class action lawsuit waiting to happen. Vehicle owners have right to install aftermarkets after purchase. Simply blocking it outright is illegal.

 

[Ja50n]

Why should I buy a new GM when a 10 year old Audi offers the same lack of Car Play for 1/5th the price?

 

[TzTerri]

I will not buy a car without CarPlay. It's a deal killer

 

[OneDunya]

I love CarPlay and I would never buy a car from a company that doesn't support it, period. I have noticed that Siri seems somehow smarter when I am using CarPlay.

 

[baronharris]

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.

Are you married? lol. Just kidding...kind of...

 

[TechRunner]

Wireless CarPlay (me) and Android Auto (spouse) were definitely on the list when we went new car shopping two-plus years ago. Can't imagine not having that option in a vehicle.

 

[Kar98]

> Aftermarket services that introduce features not originally designed, thoroughly tested, and approved by GM

Yes, that’s what aftermarket means.
Guess I’ll be sticking with KIA.

 

[idahohand]

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 began offering 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 the LaFontaine Chevrolet Plymouth dealership, on a 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.

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

I understand why GM thinks this is a good idea, and I hope they realize they will have no new sales to rental car fleet companies until they change their position. I don't rent a car without it and never will. I don't want to have to learn a new interface when I rent cars (about 20 times each year) so GM is out for me as a personal car, or as a rental.

 

[xraydoc]

I guess I won't be buying a GM vehicle. My Volvo has it, and I'm very happy about it.

 

[iluvcrap2000]

BS *Cough-Cough*..

 

[KidLoco]

I love my new Cadillac but CarPlay on it sucks. Not sure if that's intentional on GM's part - but the interface is low-res, slow, and buggy.

Contrast that with an older Cadillac I had (2019) and CarPlay worked as expected without many issues.

 

[WilliApple]

Thank God I am a Toyota kid.

 

[matsan]

Mmmm, I remember SYNC in Ford rentals in the US back in the early 2000's. I so long to go back to those days! - NOT!

 

[phillyman]

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.

How do you disable the cell modem?

 

[icwhatudidthere]

If it’s a latter, that’s class action lawsuit waiting to happen. Vehicle owners have right to install aftermarkets after purchase. Simply blocking it outright is illegal.

It doesn't seem like they're blocking end users from installing it, they're blocking the dealer from installing it. They probably had it as some option package and told buyers it could be added easily.

ETA: if they're really stupid, they'll use it as an excuse to deny someone warranty coverage.

 

[danny842003]

Why won’t Europeans but our cars.

 

[Chet-NYC]

I'll in the market for a new EV next summer. Currently, I have a Model Y and no CarPlay really is miserable. The native texting and phone connection in the car really is not very good- especially the texting part. I really do miss CarPlay. Sadly, I also like some of the GM EVs out there, but they might lose a sale because of this.

 

[timborama]

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

Sweeping generalization… I don’t need/want CarPlay. I’m not going pass up a vehicle I’ve selected because it lacks CarPlay.

 

[q64ceo]

This is the kinda greedy ******** I expect from Apple, but not GM. Shame on GM.

 

[AppleTO]

It’s unfortunate for the dealerships when likely almost every potential customers asks about CarPlay or Android Auto.

 

[liberte1776]

TIME FOR A NEW CEO AT GM, THIS IS A BONEHEADED DECISION!!!
Owner of a Blazer RS w/CarPlay, great car!

 

[Dr.Lee]

Sweeping generalization… I don’t need/want CarPlay. I’m not going pass up a vehicle I’ve selected because it lacks CarPlay.

It is a generalization because it is 'generally' true. Nobody is forcing you to buy a car with CarPlay btw, but you might want one with it come resale time.