These Apple CarPlay Ultra Partners Now Say They Won't Support It

[MacRumors]

Apple is facing mounting resistance from automakers over CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles that was announced last month.

A new (paywalled) Financial Times report claims several major brands are walking back their earlier commitments to support the upgraded dashboard software. German luxury manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Audi have both distanced themselves from the system, along with Volvo, Polestar, and Renault.

It's a major retreat from Apple's 2022 announcement, which originally named 14 automakers as future CarPlay Ultra partners, including all of those mentioned above.

CarPlay Ultra goes far beyond traditional CarPlay by taking control of the entire dashboard experience. The system displays vehicle information like temperature, speed, and fuel levels alongside iPhone apps, creating what Apple calls "a unified and consistent experience across all the driver's screens."

Mercedes-Benz had previously expressed reluctance to cede dashboard control to Apple. Now other premium brands are following suit, citing concerns about maintaining their own software experiences and revenue streams from in-car services. From the report:

Some companies have found Apple's foray into driver screens as over-reach. One executive at Renault, which is developing a vehicle mainly controlled by software with Google and Qualcomm, said the French carmaker told Apple: "Don't try to invade our own systems."

As for other car brands that were included in Apple's original 2022 list, Jaguar Land Rover said it was still evaluating the system, while Ford and Nissan along with its Infiniti brand said they had no information to share about future implementation.

BMW – which was not named in Apple's original list of partners – said it would integrate the existing Apple CarPlay with its new design, but not CarPlay Ultra, according to FT. Meanwhile, Audi said its focus was to offer drivers "a customized and seamless digital experience," so it would not use CarPlay Ultra, though the standard version was available on its vehicles.

The pushback comes despite standard CarPlay's overwhelming popularity – Apple claims 98% of new US cars include standard CarPlay, with drivers using it over 600 million times daily.

Currently, only Aston Martin offers CarPlay Ultra in production vehicles. Hyundai and its Kia and Genesis cars remain committed partners, while Porsche plans future support. Other originally announced brands like Ford and Nissan have provided no updates on their CarPlay Ultra plans.

Despite the walk-backs, Apple told FT that more carmakers using CarPlay Ultra are on the way. "We're collaborating closely with automakers to provide the best of iPhone and the best of the car and this work takes time," Apple said.

Article Link: These Apple CarPlay Ultra Partners Now Say They Won't Support It

 

[EugW]

Not surprised. CarPlay Ultra is very intrusive.

 

[Valve1138]

Does anyone really care? I don’t need my dashboard to be full on Apple, I just want to play my music and get directions.

 

[B4U]

"revenue streams from in-car services"
This alone tells us enough that is not about the user experience.
When will these greedy companies realize people are sick and tired of being robbed by subscription "services"?
Meanwhile, so many of these automakers are happy to sign up with Google Automotive Service. 🥲

 

[FSMBP]

Does anyone really care? I don’t need my dashboard to be full on Apple, I just want to play my music and get directions.

I care because have you used the interfaces from these cars? Also, the Apple would be able to add themes/new items as long as you have an iPhone vs. the carmaker not doing anything.

I get carmakers don't want to give up control though - but their behavior won't benefit the customer in this scenario.

 

[thiscatisfat]

Well who knows what Apple wants the manufacturers to do in return? Also, I think there will be somewhat of a return from all the displays back to physical buttons for basic controls (at least in Europe from 2026). The current carplay "non-ultra" is enough,

 

[nCode]

This is were Android Automotive will have the edge, being a more open platform. I agree with car manufactures stance about implementing Apples ecosystem.

 

[dugbug]

Overreach? How is it intrusive if its optional. Smell like monetization to me.

 

[Orange Bat]

Is it time for Apple to give up this aspect of the car business? CarPlay itself is fine, but trying to convince automakers to build-in CarPlay seems like a losing battle.

 

[Biro]

A pox on Apple for building such an intrusive and ugly CarPlay Ultra… and a pox on the automakers for their “revenue streams from in-car services” and 24/7 surveillance.

 

[LightProtector]

Nah **** that, I’m not buying their cars then.

 

[dwsolberg]

I have enough trouble with CarPlay that I wouldn't want the car to depend on it.

 

[JanoschR]

Wait what?! Polestar was on board a few weeks ago. What happened?

Polestar Still Plans to Offer CarPlay Ultra

Polestar remains committed to offering CarPlay Ultra in its future electric vehicles, a company spokesperson told MacRumors today. However, the brand...

www.macrumors.com

 

[rhett7660]

"revenue streams from in-car services"
This alone tells us enough that is not about the user experience.
When will these greedy companies realize people are sick and tired of being robbed by subscription "services"?
Meanwhile, so many of these automakers are happy to sign up with Google Automotive Service. 🥲

100%... this tells me everything I really need to know about the manufactures.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I like the idea of this, but I don't like the idea of it being proprietary to Apple. Keep it open, so Android (or future other brands) can link into it, or don't bother. I keep my cars A LOT longer than my phones.

 

[zapmymac]

Follow the money. Apple’s use of CarPlay in a 2025 Honda Accord is quite nice. Albiet, it is only in the iPad center dash display and not in the main cluster.

LONG LIVE analog controls for the climate!!

 

[EugW]

Nah **** that, I’m not buying their cars then.

Future Aston Martin owner I guess. Or else a Kia.

 

[ds2000]

Does anyone really care? I don’t need my dashboard to be full on Apple, I just want to play my music and get directions.

Underrated post.
If I were a new manufacturer then I'd welcome Apple with open arms, let them handle all the UI / Nav / Music etc. For most users, we don't care.

 

[repoman016]

I care because have you used the interfaces from these cars? Also, the Apple would be able to add themes/new items as long as you have an iPhone vs. the carmaker not doing anything.

I get carmakers don't want to give up control though - but their behavior won't benefit the customer in this scenario.

your examples are pretty bad if you expect people to want to shell out extra money so they can change their carplay theme and send emoji's from the dashboard. comon man!

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Apple needs to stop spreading itself thin and focus on fewer things that are stronger.

If I was a car manufacturer, I would be looking at CarPlay and questioning how often Apple would even update it.

 

[JosephAW]

Not one of those 600 million US drivers, way too much distraction already let alone a full dash experience.

 

[darngooddesign]

Apple is facing mounting resistance from automakers over CarPlay Ultra, the next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles that was announced last month.

A new (paywalled) Financial Times report claims several major brands are walking back their earlier commitments to support the upgraded dashboard software. German luxury manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and Audi have both distanced themselves from the system, along with Volvo, Polestar, and Renault.

It's a major retreat from Apple's 2022 announcement, which originally named 14 automakers as future CarPlay Ultra partners, including all of those mentioned above.

CarPlay Ultra goes far beyond traditional CarPlay by taking control of the entire dashboard experience. The system displays vehicle information like temperature, speed, and fuel levels alongside iPhone apps, creating what Apple calls "a unified and consistent experience across all the driver's screens."

Mercedes-Benz had previously expressed reluctance to cede dashboard control to Apple. Now other premium brands are following suit, citing concerns about maintaining their own software experiences and revenue streams from in-car services. From the report:
As for other car brands that were included in Apple's original 2022 list, Jaguar Land Rover said it was still evaluating the system, while Ford and Nissan along with its Infiniti brand said they had no information to share about future implementation.

BMW – which was not named in Apple's original list of partners – said it would integrate the existing Apple CarPlay with its new design, but not CarPlay Ultra, according to FT. Meanwhile, Audi said its focus was to offer drivers "a customized and seamless digital experience," so it would not use CarPlay Ultra, though the standard version was available on its vehicles.

The pushback comes despite standard CarPlay's overwhelming popularity – Apple claims 98% of new US cars include standard CarPlay, with drivers using it over 600 million times daily.

Currently, only Aston Martin offers CarPlay Ultra in production vehicles. Hyundai and its Kia and Genesis cars remain committed partners, while Porsche plans future support. Other originally announced brands like Ford and Nissan have provided no updates on their CarPlay Ultra plans.

Despite the walk-backs, Apple told FT that more carmakers using CarPlay Ultra are on the way. "We're collaborating closely with automakers to provide the best of iPhone and the best of the car and this work takes time," Apple said.

Article Link: These Apple CarPlay Ultra Partners Now Say They Won't Support It

These car companies hold a 100% monopoly on their car users so let's see the EU step in and mandate they open access to Apple. Let the car owners decide who they want to use.

 

[twisted panties]

When the in car entertainment morphs into the actual data used by the driver to monitor the car (speed, revs, fuel etc) things may get spicy pretty quickly. When you select the wrong music track or your WhatsApp message gets delayed, no issue. When CarPlay crashes and you don't know how fast you are going...

Car manufacturers need to keep the critical systems info under their control.

 

[progx]

I know why some of them are resistant, they’re watching GM completely ditch CarPlay and Android Auto to try and sell more services to their customers. CarPlay and Android Auto would hurt their ability to sell you their services in the future if they want to lock out your phone from the entire dashboard.

If they’ll do it to Apple, it’ll likely happen to Google as well.

 

[cocky jeremy]

It makes no sense that Audi would back out if Porsche is still doing it. They're both part of VW.