Report Examines GM's Controversial Move to Abandon Apple CarPlay

[MacRumors]

An in-depth Bloomberg report today resurfaced General Motors' decision to replace Apple CarPlay with its own software.

Last year, GM announced that it planned to forgo Apple CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. Instead, the automaker introduced a proprietary infotainment platform, aiming to control and customize the digital experience within its vehicles. This transition is part of GM's strategic pivot toward enhancing its software capabilities and establishing a stronger digital services revenue stream. However, the change has not been without its hurdles, with numerous customers and automotive reviewers reporting technical issues and a steep learning curve associated with the new system.

CarPlay has become a staple of most new vehicles, offering drivers a familiar interface that mirrors their iPhone's functionality onto the vehicle's dashboard. Apple reported in 2022 that 79% of car buyers in the U.S. insisted on CarPlay support when considering a new vehicle purchase.

GM's new in-house system, Ultifi, is envisioned as a comprehensive digital platform that offers a range of services such as navigation and media streaming, enhanced by subscription-based add-ons to drive revenue. Despite these aspirations, the rollout of Ultifi has encountered significant obstacles such as software malfunctions that dealerships have struggled to resolve.

GM's move is driven by a wish to reclaim customer connections and data insights from third parties, but customer resistance to abandoning a familiar and popular system like CarPlay that directly integrates with their iPhone poses a significant challenge to GM's strategy.

The outcome of GM's decision could influence future industry practices significantly. If GM can refine Ultifi into a robust, user-friendly platform that rivals or surpasses CarPlay's functionality, it may set a precedent for other automakers to follow suit. Conversely, if consumers continue to prefer established systems like CarPlay, automakers may find themselves in a difficult position, needing to balance their corporate interests with consumer preferences.

See Bloomberg's full article for more insights into GM's move to abandon Apple CarPlay.

Article Link: Report Examines GM's Controversial Move to Abandon Apple CarPlay

 

[Apples Apples Everywhere]

I won’t buy another car without CarPlay, no offense to those who would.

Sorry GM EVs and Tesla.

 

[Icehawk]

Carplay was the deciding factor when I got my current car vs a couple alternatives. When it comes to traveling,I only rent cars with Carplay. There's enough stress travelling. I don't need to be figuring out the info system too.

GM not supporting Carplay means one less option to consider.

 

[jayducharme]

I’m one of those who wants CarPlay in my car, so I would never consider purchasing a GM vehicle for that reason. It will be interesting to see if enough other customers feel the same way.

 

[AMTYVLE]

I just bought a 2024 GMC Sierra and their android based system is very slow. I tap to open Google Maps, Waze, iHeart Radio...all apps were downloaded from the Google Play Store on the infotainment system...the apps take about 10-20 seconds to open.

Using CarPlay is quick and easy. Would be a bad move to get rid of that, IMO.

 

[Beautyspin]

Well, considering that Mercedes-Benz is also not going to let CarPlay in, due to reasons specified by CEO Ola Källenius in the following interview, I doubt others would let CarPlay in too. Their reasons will apply to all the others too.

Mercedes-Benz won’t let Apple CarPlay take over all its screens

No Apple screen takeover in Mercedes-Benz.

www.theverge.com

Apple wanted to control core functions of the vehicle like HVAC, as well as the speedometer and odometer.

"But Mercedes doesn’t appear to be in any rush to follow its luxury vehicle peers in letting Apple dominate the in-car experience for its customers. Instead, Källenius said that the company is working closely with Apple’s main rival, Google, in designing a new navigation feature that will be built on Google Maps. The key difference there is that Mercedes’ own engineering team will be heavily involved in the process."

 

[Valve1138]

No CarPlay is a dealbreaker for me.

As an owner of a ‘14 GMC Sierra, it will not be replaced with a GM product down the road when it’s time.

The CarPlay experience in my ‘24 CrossTrek is fantastic.

 

[Populus]

And why don’t let the customers choose their car operating system?

I hope that, despite this, iPhone users will keep enjoying a good integration between their phone and the car operating system.

 

[James_C]

I drive a Tesla at the moment, they have added a Apple Music App and more recently Podcasts, however it is not the same as CarPlay, and the music app has the habit of disconnecting from the network. Car Play integration is important to me and next car is likely to be a BMW i5 that does support CarPlay.

 

[klspahr]

No CarPlay, no sale.
Another subscription?? Another rejection!

So much for the customer always being right.

 

[CapitalIdea]

It’ll be a cold day in hell before I buy a car that doubles as a live service.

 

[Populus]

I drive a Tesla at the moment, they have added a Apple Music App and more recently Podcasts, however it is not the same as CarPlay, and the music app has the habit of disconnecting from the network. Car Play integration is important to me and next car is likely to be a BMW i5 that does support CarPlay.

The only way to make manufacturers think twice before banning CarPlay from their cars, is voting with our wallets like you’re going to do. If other manufacturers see CarPlay enabled cars sell better, they might re-think their strategy.

 

[Robert.Walter]

For me? It’s No CarPlay, No interest!

Across town, Ford takes a different approach. Although Ford’s CEO decided to scrap own s/w stack for Google Auto (bc it’s not core tech and Google does it better), he decided to keep CarPlay (why alienate and lose a segment of customers insistent on having CarPlay?).

Maybe GM thinks in say 5-10 years they will be at parity or better than CarPlay and a short term hit is worth this control and independence.

I think GM is underestimating customer loss and overestimating its ability to execute and draw interest.

Add in the fact that in its attempt to monetize cut, GM was selling customer driving history (routes, acceleration braking etc) to insurance companies without notice or approval, and apparently has lied about how customers became enrolled in this data grab, I have little trust in whatever GM is cooking up as opposed to the Apple system.

 

[kirbyrun]

Well, considering that Mercedes-Benz is also not going to let CarPlay in, due to reasons specified by CEO Ola Källenius in the following interview, I doubt others would let CarPlay in too. Their reasons will apply to all the others too.

Mercedes-Benz won’t let Apple CarPlay take over all its screens

No Apple screen takeover in Mercedes-Benz.

www.theverge.com

Apple wanted to control core functions of the vehicle like HVAC, as well as the speedometer and odometer.

"But Mercedes doesn’t appear to be in any rush to follow its luxury vehicle peers in letting Apple dominate the in-car experience for its customers. Instead, Källenius said that the company is working closely with Apple’s main rival, Google, in designing a new navigation feature that will be built on Google Maps. The key difference there is that Mercedes’ own engineering team will be heavily involved in the process."

That interview is referring to the expanded CarPlay 2.0 experience Apple debuted at WWDC last year, where CarPlay takes over ALL of the infotainment and other screens in the car (odometer, speedometer, etc.). It's not about the "plug in and project your phone" CarPlay experience, which is what GM is disabling.

 

[StudioMacs]

Well, considering that Mercedes-Benz is also not going to let CarPlay in

Mercedes is specifically talking about not supporting 2nd gen CarPlay, but continuing to support current gen CarPlay.

 

[Beautyspin]

Yup. That is true. They do not want to cede total control to Apple, which is what I mentioned.

 

[StudioMacs]

And why don’t let the customers choose their car operating system?

I hope that, despite this, iPhone users will keep enjoying a good integration between their phone and the car operating system.

The reason is GM wants to sell user data and monthly subscriptions.

 

[rustygh]

I got to use carplay in a Ford Edge a couple weeks ago, it's trash. Maybe they should fix that first?
I'm truly amazed at how many people say it's a good thing? That carplay randomly disconnected about a million times.
iphone 14 pro max up to date on software. I'm much happier with my everyday bluetooth link that works flawlessly.

 

[entropys]

I would encourage going into the dealer to look their electric cars and ask: “does it have CarPlay”?
”oh, it doesn’t! Sorry I will look eksewhere”

 

[Someyoungguy]

Well, considering that Mercedes-Benz is also not going to let CarPlay in, due to reasons specified by CEO Ola Källenius in the following interview, I doubt others would let CarPlay in too. Their reasons will apply to all the others too.

Mercedes-Benz won’t let Apple CarPlay take over all its screens

No Apple screen takeover in Mercedes-Benz.

www.theverge.com

Apple wanted to control core functions of the vehicle like HVAC, as well as the speedometer and odometer.

"But Mercedes doesn’t appear to be in any rush to follow its luxury vehicle peers in letting Apple dominate the in-car experience for its customers. Instead, Källenius said that the company is working closely with Apple’s main rival, Google, in designing a new navigation feature that will be built on Google Maps. The key difference there is that Mercedes’ own engineering team will be heavily involved in the process."

Well, this is depressing. We will no longer see CarPlay in vehicles at all because of another Tim Apple overreach? I still don’t understand, however, why Android Auto is also being thrown out.

 

[Mojohanna32]

Stick to what you're good at. GM should build cars and leave the infotainment to organizations that have this down pat already.

 

[Glideslope]

The real question is, who would purchase a GM vehicle in the first place?

 

[dynamojoe]

I love my Tesla and didn't think that I'd miss CarPlay as much as I do. Everything's great but CarPlay is so much better.

 

[rustygh]

I won’t buy another car without CarPlay, no offense to those who would.

Sorry GM EVs and Tesla.

Even if it's the best thing in the world for you, imagine choosing a car because of carplay?

 

[entropys]

I got to use carplay in a Ford Edge a couple weeks ago, it's trash. Maybe they should fix that first?
I'm truly amazed at how many people say it's a good thing? That carplay randomly disconnected about a million times.
iphone 14 pro max up to date on software. I'm much happier with my everyday bluetooth link that works flawlessly.

that Is a very uncommon experience. Perhaps you should try again?