Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

[TundraKing]

The original concept of "Car Play 2" as described by Apple is essentially dead. That concept required a car mfg. to surrender the vehicle UI to Apple. The major car companies likely won't ever do this as they are too far along on their own paths now. The smaller or niche players may but that remains to be seen. The real definition and capabilities of "CarPlay Ultra" are still unclear but it likely will still be essentially an infotainment add-on to a vehicles existing UI.

Google Built-In which is being offered by quite a few car brands now essentially puts an Android Tablet on the dash and is connected to the drivers Google account. All the infotainment/navigation functions are thru this Android interface while the vehicle systems remain under the UI of the vehicle but the two are linked for voice control, visual cues etc.... Car companies seem to be increasingly adopting this approach.

 

[2DeedleD]

Audi is under the VW group umbrella. Don't be shocked when that changes to WILL support.

 

[2DeedleD]

This is the main reason I won’t be another GM car. And I’ve owned mostly GM cars over the last 35 years.

Same. At the moment, it looks like my Volt will be the last.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Tell everyone you know CarPlay Ultra is a must-have feature and not having it will effect the car's resale value. Spread the word.

 

[2DeedleD]

Stick to only buying cars which offer CarPlay Ultra, guys. Damage the other brands so significantly they will need to adopt it. Spread the meme.

One of the worst parts are some of these names won't even offer standard CarPlay. Best of bad luck to them.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

One of the worst parts are some of these names won't even offer standard CarPlay. Best of bad luck to them.

Spread the word. CarPlay Ultra or bust. Many buyers of used car demand it, tell them.

 

[EugW]

Tell everyone you know CarPlay Ultra is a must-have feature and not having it will effect the car's resale value. Spread the word.

I will tell everyone that CarPlay Ultra is essentially vapourware for the next several years (Aston Martin doesn't count), and not to waste their time waiting for that feature, which is mostly superfluous anyway.

 

[Thehangmn]

maybe apple should've just made that car after all

 

[ceojr215]

Apple last month announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles.

There was news this week about which automakers will and won't offer CarPlay Ultra, and we have provided an updated list below.

CarPlay Ultra is currently limited to newer Aston Martin vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately, if you cannot afford a $250,000 luxury vehicle, the software system will eventually be available in more affordable vehicles.

Apple said "many" other automakers around the world plan to offer CarPlay Ultra over the next year and beyond, including Korean brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.

Earlier this week, Porsche also reaffirmed its commitment to CarPlay Ultra.

Apple first previewed the next generation ‌of CarPlay‌ all the way back at WWDC 2022, and at the time it shared a long list of automakers that were committed to offering the software system. The list is more than three years old, and it is not entirely accurate anymore.

The list was as follows:

• Acura
• Audi
• Ford
• Honda
• Infiniti
• Jaguar
• Land Rover
• Lincoln
• Mercedes-Benz
• Nissan
• Polestar
• Porsche
• Renault
• Volvo

According to a report this week from the Financial Times, there are at least five automakers on that list that have since confirmed that they have no plans to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo.

All in all, here is where things stand currently.

Currently Offers CarPlay Ultra

• Aston Martin

Will Offer CarPlay Ultra

• Hyundai
• Kia
• Genesis
• Porsche

Won't Offer CarPlay Ultra

• Audi
• BMW
• Mercedes-Benz
• Polestar
• Renault
• Volvo

General Motors controversially ditched the regular version of CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, so it is likely to pass on CarPlay Ultra too. That means vehicles from brands like Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC are unlikely to offer CarPlay Ultra.

Maybe

• Honda
• Acura
• Ford
• Lincoln
• Nissan
• Infiniti
• Jaguar
• Land Rover

Unknown

• Toyota
• Lexus
• Chrysler
• Dodge
• Jeep
• RAM
• Volkswagen

Article Link: Here's Which Vehicle Brands Will and Won't Offer Apple's CarPlay Ultra

What about Subaru?

 

[rembert]

Audi is under the VW group umbrella. Don't be shocked when that changes to WILL support.

Porsche is also under that umbrella and is expected to support CarPlay Ultra.

I switched from a Vauxhall to a Skoda 4 years ago, partly because of them ending support for CarPlay. Still don't understand that move. For some reason Apple Maps manages to use two screens in my Skoda while other navigation apps don't. Not sure what the next car will be. CarPlay is on the must-haves list, CarPlay Ultra is not. I'm not ready to pay a dime extra for CarPlay Ultra.

 

[Geurt]

It looks to me that this is what happens when you announce big plans and do not deliver. It was obvious that this Ultra-thing fell out of the Titan-project ("Apple car") when they shared the first screenshots and car brands that participated almost three years ago, but still nothing for the consumer at his time. Starts to sound like Tesla, promise and (under-)deliver, shame that Apple seems to have lost it and is unable to make things shine anymore .

 

[dizmonk]

I'm honestly shocked they got Hyundai group on board. Aston makes sense; they can save millions on SDE payroll by letting Apple do heavy lifting to support a launch partner. I kind of can't believe a volume manufacturer bought in...guess my next car will be a Genesis.

I just bought one, and from what I understand, they have some kind of business relationship with Kia. Do we have any idea went this will be released in those cars?

 

[dizmonk]

No, it's because users are not clamouring for CarPlayification of the instrument cluster, and there really isn't a big need for it. Plus it cedes control of the interface to Apple. Car manufacturers don't want to pay Apple for something that doesn't really benefit them, and which only a small minority of customers actually care about, for something that effectively debrands the car.

Can't you say the same thing about Android Auto?

 

[Anilu7]

Hyundai as one of the ‘will offer’ leans me to that group of companies. Toyota is an unknown but whir new Arene software is something I’m watching. All these manufacturers seem to want to push subscriptions which I don’t want to pay for. Just give me my car thanks. Offer a sub if it’s something they’ve developed but I want the option to use CarPlay off my phone and not the manufacturer’s directions for example.

 

[aidler]

Guess my next car will be South Korean, and all the “great” car makers who only want my data and upsell me their subscriptions can go to hell.

 

[TechTexan]

I understand Car Play being a desired add on but Ultra would actually be a turn off for me. Apple do not make robust software anymore and to have Siri controlling all aspects of my car interface is beyond undesirable.
Why would anyone want Apple to control their AC or other functions?

Glad this is your opinion, I for one would love it as most folks on here would at least like the option. Additionally it’s not an all or nothing. You would be able to “choose” to use the interface or not. Just like you can today. Having options move the industry forward.

 

[EugW]

Can't you say the same thing about Android Auto?

Not really. CarPlay Ultra is rumoured to be a much more rigid implementation than Android Automotive. CarPlay Ultra will partially run locally on the car but I believe it needs to work with an iPhone. Android Automotive is a complete OS and can run completely independently from a phone.

 

[BuffaloTF]

Can't you say the same thing about Android Auto?

Auto or Automotive? Automotive is almost the AOSP for cars, they can make it look however they want. And it's far better than both Auto and CarPlay. Leaps and bounds...

 

[turbineseaplane]

Guess my next car will be South Korean, and all the “great” car makers who only want my data and upsell me their subscriptions can go to hell.

What makes us so sure Apple & carmakers won't do exactly the same thing if they get enough adoption?

Remember .. it's all about "Services Revenue" now at Apple.

They were just pushing unwanted ADs for their new movie to customer iPhones.

 

[bradman83]

Why can't there be an industry standard base architecture that allows app developers to create an app that can be instaled in all OEM OSs. Apple Maps, Music, Podcasts, Calendar, Messages etc. should be available as apps in Rivian, Tesla, GM, etc OSs. Who suffers in this battle? Us, the customers.

Android Automotive OS (AAOS) is quickly becoming the base standard architecture. Most manufacturers are using it for their current generation infotainment systems (Ford, GM, Rivian, Volvo/Polestar, VW/Audi/Porsche, Nissan, Honda).

AAOS can be highly customized and can be offered with or without Google's services. Apple could very easily port their apps to run on AAOS as competitors like Spotify and Audible have done, but they choose not to.

 

[dizmonk]

Not really. CarPlay Ultra is rumoured to be a much more rigid implementation than Android Automotive. CarPlay Ultra will partially run locally on the car but I believe it needs to work with an iPhone. Android Automotive is a complete OS and can run completely independently from a phone.

But if the complaints from carmakers are that they don't want to cede all that power to Apple, isn't that just as true about an OS that is embedded in the car? I don't get it.

 

[EugW]

But if the complaints from carmakers are that they don't want to cede all that power to Apple, isn't that just as true about an OS that is embedded in the car? I don't get it.

No. With Android Automotive (which is not Android Auto) it is open source, and the car manufacturer controls the data.

 

[dizmonk]

No. With Android Automotive (which is not Android Auto) it is open source, and the car manufacturer controls the data.

So what's Android Auto?

 

[turbineseaplane]

So what's Android Auto?

Basically Android CarPlay

Android Auto - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

vs

Android Automotive - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[victorvictoria]

While my wife and I both drive Volvos, neither of us feels any need for CarPlay Ultra. The standard CarPlay is more than adequate, and Volvo takes care of all the other stuff. We can lock/unloc and start the car, open the windows, and many other features from our phones with their app. Apple Maps is really the only thing we use, as it's better than the built-in NAV systems.