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

[EugW]

This is very disappointing. What people need to realise is that CarPlay Ultra is optional, so you can still use the car maker's system if you want. The problem here is that manufacturers are not giving us this option.

This argument doesn't make much sense. They still have to develop their own OS and interface anyway and don't see the value add for CarPlay Ultra over CarPlay, and they don't want to cede control of that aspect of the car either, so why spend the extra effort and money to do that? While you may not agree with their opinion, it certainly makes sense from their end.

I see quite a bit of backlash from people for manufacturers not offering CarPlay Ultra. If there is voices are loud enough, maybe the car makers will change their minds. I am not in the market for another 5 years for a car, but if at that time BMW doesn't offer CarPlay Ultra, my next car will be from a maker that does offer it

I don't see that backlash aside from a few threads like this. And even in those threads, it's mostly just a vocal minority advocating for CarPlay Ultra. Amongst my friends and acquaintances, CarPlay Ultra isn't even on the radar. Once people have wireless CarPlay, they're satisfied.

 

[wood1208]

Toyota, 2026 Toyota RAV4 will feature a new software platform called Arene, designed to enable continuous improvement and updates. Because the new software platform is modular, customizable; (not officially announced but) in future updates it can support CarPlay Ultra besides currently featuring regular CarPlay and Android auto.

 

[EugW]

Toyota, 2026 Toyota RAV4 will feature a new software platform called Arene, designed to enable continuous improvement and updates. Because the new software platform is modular, customizable; (not officially announced but) in future updates it can support CarPlay Ultra besides currently featuring regular CarPlay and Android auto.

I think it's pretty much guaranteed that entire new generation of the Toyota RAV4 beginning with the 2026 model year will never support CarPlay Ultra. That means the earliest hope for CarPlay Ultra in a RAV4 would be when they move to the next generation in 2033, but even then I doubt it, especially if they truly continue to improve Arene OS.

 

[211]

This argument doesn't make much sense. They still have to develop their own OS and interface anyway and don't see the value add for CarPlay Ultra over CarPlay, and they don't want to cede control of that aspect of the car either, so why spend the extra effort and money to do that? While you may not agree with their opinion, it certainly makes sense from their end.


I don't see that backlash aside from a few threads like this. And even in those threads, it's mostly just a vocal minority advocating for CarPlay Ultra. Amongst my friends and acquaintances, CarPlay Ultra isn't even on the radar. Once people have wireless CarPlay, they're satisfied.

If they can see the value by adding CarPlay, then why not CarPlay Ultra? The ceded control by allowing CarPlay in the first place. They are already spending the extra effort and money on their own systems that very few like, so why not on a system that Apple will work with them on, like on CarPlay?

Maybe your friends and acquaintances haven't even heard of CarPlay Ultra as it's not available with anyone yet. Do you work for one of these car makers that won't adopt CarPlat Ultra?

 

[EugW]

If they can see the value by adding CarPlay, then why not CarPlay Ultra? The ceded control by allowing CarPlay in the first place. They are already spending the extra effort and money on their own systems that very few like, so why not on a system that Apple will work with them on, like on CarPlay?

This is what I've been talking about this entire thread. What people want is a decent infotainment system. Car manufacturers can't seem to accomplish this, and CarPlay is a great solution. CarPlay Ultra goes much beyond this, but consumers aren't actually asking for this, and car manufacturers don't want this either.

There are perhaps a few things that CarPlay Ultra could improve for integration, but it's not really high up on people's wish list. Once you have wireless CarPlay, that's all that people really need and want. I don't think I've ever heard anyone tell me that they'd love to see CarPlay take over the instrument cluster, aside from a few people in this thread.

 

[211]

This is what I've been talking about this entire thread. What people want is a decent infotainment system. Car manufacturers can't seem to accomplish this, and CarPlay is a great solution. CarPlay Ultra goes much beyond this, but consumers aren't actually asking for this, and car manufacturers don't want this either.

There are perhaps a few things that CarPlay Ultra could improve for integration, but it's not really high up on people's wish list. Once you have wireless CarPlay, that's all that people really need and want. I don't think I've ever heard anyone tell me that they'd love to see CarPlay take over the instrument cluster, aside from a few people in this thread.

Was iPod, iPhone or Apple Watch or even CarPlay before it was out high on people’s wish list? Unless people see it in action, how do they know they want it?

 

[RossHenning]

A few months back I got a survey from Audi that was trying to gauge how willing I would be to pay for the ability to personalize my MMI (the infotainment system) with photos, etc. I’d put Money on it that the reason these companies are pulling out is they are looking to monetize some of the things CarPlay Ultra would offer for free. Just like GM and their ill advised decision to remove CarPlay, I hope this stuff backfires on all these brands. I currently have two Audi vehicles, and have already decided no more Audi for me, not because of the actual vehicle, but because of the crappy MMI and other electronics. I had planned to buy another Cadillac, but refuse to buy a car without CarPlay. I will NEVER buy into a subscription for any of the features these automakers are wanting to sell. I have a feeling that I’m not alone. I’m doing my best to drop as many subscription based services as I can. I’m sick of every company wanting to put their hands in my pockets for a few dollars every month. Just like tipping in the USA, subscriptions for every little thing are out of control.

With the advent of Robo Taxis, a new generation that doesn’t put nearly the emphasis on driving as previous generations do, and other factors,
I believe that vehicle ownership will soon be on the decline. These manufacturers should be looking to what they can do to attract customers away from the competition, not how they can milk and extra few bucks from their customers.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Under no circumstance will I buy a vehicle without Apple CarPlay. CarPlay is an added benefit.

 

[SigurTom]

I'll get rid of my Audi A6 Allroad and buy the first station wagon that offers Carplay Ultra.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Since us Tesla owners have never had even the prospect of having CarPlay, this news is neither here nor there. Car owners don’t want 3rd party companies coming in to run their UI.

Correction: car owners don’t want 3rd party UIs if the OEM knows what they’re doing. Tesla’s decent UI is the exception, not the rule.

 

[DickieSmith]

Today I wouldn't buy a car without CarPlay.

Once enough manufacturers have CarPlay Ultra to make CarPlay Ultra a viable option for me I will make that a criteria when buying a car.

It will become a competitive disadvantage to not offer it, but it will take time for that to happen just as it took time for not offering regular CarPlay and Android Auto to become a competitive disadvantage.

 

[DickieSmith]

Was iPod, iPhone or Apple Watch or even CarPlay before it was out high on people’s wish list? Unless people see it in action, how do they know they want it?

Reminds me of an answer Steve Jobs gave when asked what kind of market research Apple conducts:

"People don't know what they want until we show it to them"

Or the Henry Ford quote:

"If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses"

CarPlay Ultra looks like a much better experience than offered by just about any OEM infotainment system. Having seen it I want it.

 

[iMattPro]

So this is how Hyundai or Kia will finally get my business

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Tesla taught us CarPlay wasn't necessary, but most head units aren't of that quality.

Tesla's system isn't great for music or messages in particular. Being unable to use navigation like Waze is also a bummer. It's a far cry from making CarPlay unnecessary. Whenever I get a message in my car I wish I had CarPlay (virtually every day haha).

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Reminds me of an answer Steve Jobs gave when asked what kind of market research Apple conducts:

"People don't know what they want until we show it to them"

Or the Henry Ford quote:

"If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses"

CarPlay Ultra looks like a much better experience than offered by just about any OEM infotainment system. Having seen it I want it.

Henry Ford also (for the longest time) refused to give customers a car that was any colour other than black. Just like Jobs, he was very much hit and miss, fueled by hubris.