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Rivian CEO Doubles Down on Decision to Not Offer Apple CarPlay
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Wireless CarPlay works seamlessly on my 2025 Accord Touring. Connects almost instantaneously upon starting the car, and other than momentary song pauses due to network issues, I have no complaints.
I'd argue CarPlay is an expected feature at this point in time. The incentive is that people will look elsewhere for something they now expect.
People say this because it's shown to be factual. Legacy automakers are terrible at software, despite having had decades to perfect it. That's why most are happy to integrate Apple CarPlay, because they know they can't do better. Some like GM foolishly think they can, and continue to be proven wrong. EV-only automakers have software as a foundational design principle and that clearly shows in the end product.
I think we're talking past each other.
The "EV" part has nothing to do with what you're discussing there.
You're really just talking about new carmakers vs legacy. New carmakers are making EVs because that's the drive train of the future, but your point would apply to any new maker of cars, even if they were making ICE models.
It's a new company (vs old/entrenched) mindset thing more than anything about being an EV or an ICE car maker.
People will still prefer Carplay/AA. Unless the fundamentals of owning a car changes, Carpay will always be better.
Auto Manufactures will never splurge on a processor fast enough nor spend the time and effort to provide meaningful updates to provide value in offering any subscription.
They just woke up but will quickly realize that Software is a very differently world that relies on diligence and a lot of attention to detail when starting out.
This is probably about the consumer data to be harvested, and not about a seamless digital experience. When you’re in CarPlay, even with data sharing turned on (in the car system not CarPlay), automobiles are limited to basic information like whether or not the car is moving, location, whether or not the stereo is engaged, and whether or not the driver has CarPlay or android enabled, etc. That information is still useful and can be used by insurance companies when setting rates. With CarPlay enabled and data sharing turned off (in the car) there’s even less data available. Rivian, like Tesla, want that data, it is worth a lot of residual money.
I'd like to see these carmakers selling car data API access, if they are going to insist on some form of recurring revenue.
How it gets displayed/used/accessed should be a matter of consumer preference.
Normal CarPlay + Apps that can access real time vehicle data would be a very compelling combo.
How it gets displayed/used/accessed should be a matter of consumer preference.
Normal CarPlay + Apps that can access real time vehicle data would be a very compelling combo.
well that’s just gonna suck since I carry my phone in my pocket not my car. Lets all hope this won’t spread to more cars or renting a car is really going to suck.
Don’t understand why CarPlay isn’t offered - including Tesla. It’s an option. I get aftermarket solutions exist and people can still use CarPlay on their phones.
Depends on the manufacturer. Some obviously care minimally about the in-car software experience, so why not let folks use the device that's always on them and has the apps they want to use? Probably also let's manufacturers use lower spec'd hardware if the head unit is basically just used for casting.
Unless you count silly stuff like "selling more cars". Would that be an incentive?
RJ is saying the quiet part out loud. They’re using you to train their AI. Automakers that don’t offer CarPlay are there to steal your data
I think Rivian would be dead if Tesla had made a traditional looking truck and SUV. But they didnt. So if you want a small electric truck Rivian is best option so I think they will bloom over time. The CarPlay stuff isn't going to make that much of a difference. I swore I would never buy a car without CarPlay then I got a tesla and the whole experience is so amazing (mostly self driving) I decided I would never buy a car without self driving. I think Rivian owners probably have different priorities.
I am another one who will not buy a car that doesn't have Apple CarPlay.
Regardless of the supposedly better experience, it would mean no harm to offer CarPlay as an option, same goes for Tesla.
The consumer can choose ...
The consumer can choose ...
That's not entirely true though. You just have to look at the EV offerings of legacy automakers, like GM, BMW, Polestar, etc, to see how inferior their EVs are compared to EV only brands. Sure it's a mindset thing, but that requires a change in company culture because it translates to real and tangible operational changes. Polestar could very well considered a "new" automaker that's an offshoot of Volvo and the new mindset hasn't helped them in putting out a competitive EV. So yes, the EV part does have something to do with it.
The thing about these other manufacturers, though, is that they still offer you the choice. BMWs implementation of the new panoramic display in their Neue Klasse vehicles means that they won’t work with, or support, CarPlay Ultra. However, they will still support ‘standard’ CarPlay in the main infotainment screen - and maybe some elements of the panoramic screen, too. Glad that we will at least have this option!
My best guess is they don’t want to handle support questions or software integration. The cynical answer is they want to sell the data they can collect.
That's the answer.
In the world we are now in, being cynical is almost mandatory to understand the perverse business incentives driving everything.
Ah, the ol' "The car is too cool for CarPlay" argument.
I only care about CarPlay because carmakers are moving away from fully offline in-dash navigation to something that requires a cellular plan and/or a separate subscription just for the maps function.
Otherwise I'm fine with the built-in software as I don't have to take my phone out and plug it in (as in the case of wired CarPlay) or have it drain battery (as in the case of wireless CarPlay).
Otherwise I'm fine with the built-in software as I don't have to take my phone out and plug it in (as in the case of wired CarPlay) or have it drain battery (as in the case of wireless CarPlay).
