Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

[MacRumors]

On the latest episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told guest host Joanna Stern why the EV maker continues to pass on Apple's CarPlay — both the standard version and the more advanced CarPlay Ultra.

Echoing his previous comments on the matter, Scaringe said Rivian is focused on offering a "seamless digital experience," where customers do not need to switch between its own software and CarPlay. Instead, he said Rivian prefers to provide an à-la-carte selection of built-in apps, such as Apple Music, Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube.

Scaringe said he is "very confident" in Rivian's decision to skip CarPlay, especially as it plans to integrate AI into its vehicles over the next 18 months. For example, he said Rivian is planning a native AI-powered voice-to-text feature for messaging.

"We're really convicted on this," he said.

Nevertheless, Scaringe acknowledged that some customers will not purchase a Rivian given the lack of CarPlay. "We accept that," he said.

"Some of those decisions not everyone's going to agree with," he said. "That's okay."

​

Article Link: Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

 

[jml12286]

Thats sad. Its not like they couldn't just add Carplay and not have it take over they stuff they already have implemented....
Just like on my Ford Lightning, I can either use carplay or not, and it doesn't take away from the built in crap software that some people may prefer.

 

[routine_analyst]

VW bought Rivian software not long ago... BMW and its brands have an upcoming version of their software that will be pretty great with a panoramic display. Tesla has its own software / hardware so vertically integrated that's pretty hard to beat. Others will eventually catch up.

Vehicle brands are starting to wake up and realize how crappy it is to outsource everything when it comes to electronics.

Apple missed the boat. Forest for the trees on this one.

All the downvotes are coming from people who have no clue what vertical integration vs outsourcing looks like in the auto business. Literally group think. How's that new iPhone treating ya? The one you get every single year to show it off to your friends?

 

[wonderings]

not surprised again. Aesthetically Apple CarPlay looks a little childish to me. Rivian is an expensive high end EV brand and personally think CarPlay is a little bland and out of place in a high tech car. The more high tech a car is the more I think they don't need CarPlay.

 

[mikey918]

This is my number one complaint about my Tesla. CarPlay is just better. Apple Maps is better. I wish I had the choice, but oh well.

 

[Killbill2]

My phone gets an annual update, works seamlessly across all three cars I drive, and even with the restrictions imposed by car manufacturers on CarPlay, it provides some continuity between vehicles. This makes it less distracting and a much less of a safety hazard when switching cars. Rivian's CEO has mini Musk arrogance and shows he's afraid of competition.

 

[osxster]

There will be a lot of people who will not buy the car specifically because it doesn't have CarPlay. I sure wouldn't, as I like the experience of my phone. So so hate trying to use different company GPS's software, they never work well, are harder to use and don't have the best experience. So what will happen is the people who buy this car will either buy an ugly external CarPlay screen or a holder for their phone so that they can still use their better phone GPS. Kind of defeats the experience of having one of these cars.

 

[supergt]

As a consumer, I would not even consider a new car today that doesn't offer CarPlay (preferably wireless).

 

[turbineseaplane]

He better just focus on whatever is next after R1/R1T and making sure it's competitive.

 

[springsup]

"We're really convicted on this," he said.

Uhh… is that an example of their AI voice-to-text service?


convicted
adjective

having officially been found guilty of a crime by a law court:

- Being a convicted criminal, I couldn't really get a job.
- a convicted murderer

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/convicted

 

[cocky jeremy]

As a consumer, I would not even consider a new car today that doesn't offer CarPlay (preferably wireless).

Same here. Not that this one is relevant to me anyway. I'll never buy the electric junk regardless of who makes it or what they add to it.

 

[tsupersonic]

The best part about Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is that it's standard UI/UX across vehicles. If you can't offer it, you're not getting my money.

 

[bookcase]

There will be a lot of people who will not buy the car specifically because it doesn't have CarPlay.

I am one of those people. I won't even consider a car that doesn't offer it.

 

[xgman]

give it another year. he'll cave eventually.

 

[wineinger]

Without CarPlay or Android you are tied to a subscription service from the car company for apps. As with anything else, follow the money

 

[turbineseaplane]

Without CarPlay or Android you are tied to a subscription service from the car company for apps. As with anything else, follow the money

Related to this, it's my understanding that some manufacturers (not sure how many) have made sure the initial "8 years free subscription!" type of offerings to assuage concerns are only for original owners.

Meaning:

They'll have fleets of cars coming off leases with essentially guaranteed subscription revenue for years and years to come.

That's their whole play here.
Recurring revenue from used cars for many years.

 

[EugW]

I have little interest in CarPlay Ultra, but wireless CarPlay is a must.

That's part of the reason I bought a new 2025 Camry instead of a used older model Camry. The older models had only wired CarPlay. Mind you, used prices around here at the time were stupid high anyway.

 

[Johannes Von Zerstorong]

On the latest episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told guest host Joanna Stern why the EV maker continues to pass on Apple's CarPlay — both the standard version and the more advanced CarPlay Ultra.

Echoing his previous comments on the matter, Scaringe said Rivian is focused on offering a "seamless digital experience," where customers do not need to switch between its own software and CarPlay. Instead, he said Rivian prefers to provide an à-la-carte selection of built-in apps, such as Apple Music, Google Maps, Spotify, and YouTube.

Scaringe said he is "very confident" in Rivian's decision to skip CarPlay, especially as it plans to integrate AI into its vehicles over the next 18 months. For example, he said Rivian is planning a native AI-powered voice-to-text feature for messaging.

"We're really convicted on this," he said.

Nevertheless, Scaringe acknowledged that some customers will not purchase a Rivian given the lack of CarPlay. "We accept that," he said.

"Some of those decisions not everyone's going to agree with," he said. "That's okay."

​

Article Link: Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay

He may double down, but customers that want CarPlay will also double down in demanding CarPlay. Any future car purchases will require Apple CarPlay Ultra and will require that any Android Automotive or Alexa to be removed from any firmware in the car.

 

[Dylan33x]

In reality they want the data, and the control over their product. EVs are more tech products than cars, even traditional cars are becoming that way (unfortunately).

I think in time they’ll have to cave due to consumer pressure. As long as there ends up being more than 2-3 successful EV companies, that is.

 

[Vasilioskn]

This is my number one complaint about my Tesla. CarPlay is just better. Apple Maps is better. I wish I had the choice, but oh well.

Apple Maps is awful

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Why not just offer a choice when building to order?

 

[MilaM]

Apple execs should not be surprised by this. They are also very cagey when it comes to deep integration of third-party code into their operating systems and hardware. Everyone wants to control the user experience. Why should car manufacturers be an exception?

 

[progx]

Auto manufacturers want to get in on the subscription billing since they’re losing that extra revenue when we use our phones instead.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Rivian wants their software to be perfectly integrated with their hardware. They are no different from Apple in that regard.

Why let the phone people tell you what Car UX should be like?

 

[alchemistmuffin]

"Some of those decisions not everyone's going to agree with," he said. "That's okay."

And that will be the downfall of the company. I can bet you that will happen in next few years.