You may have read that General Motors revealed a key reason it is ditching CarPlay and Android Auto starting with its new EVs and all future vehicles. It told MotorTrend this week that a chief reason why is safety.
GM said CarPlay and Android Auto are subject to bad connections, slow responses and dropped connections. This causes drivers to pick up their phones, taking their eyes off the road.
And so, the company will embed apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant, Spotify and Audible into its software starting with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. GM’s system can also handle calls and texts, as well as control the audio system and HVAC.
Aftermarket CarPlay kit maker RDV Automotive said it remains to be seen if there will be high demand for an aftermarket CarPlay/Android Auto solution for the new GM vehicles. It is also uncertain whether GM will allow a video connection to permit an aftermarket solution. RDV Founder Rich De Sclafani said, “My personal feeling it that not a great many people will push for CarPlay. That’s evident in Tesla because Tesla doesn’t come with CarPlay either, and demand for a Tesla solution is extremely small. I could be wrong, we’ll see…If if we get a big influx of calls asking for it, we will definitely develop it.”
Conversely, CarPlay kit maker ZZ2 believes drivers will seek an aftermarket solution, especially those that have used CarPlay/Android Auto in the past. “I do have a lot of requests for Tesla CarPlay, especially for those customers that own a car with CarPlay and then buy a Tesla. I’m one of them. I miss CarPlay so much…. people want to see the text messages,” said Tiago Sperandio.
ZZ2 offered an interface for Tesla in the past and pulled it from the market but it plans to release a new Tesla kit in Q1 2024. Regarding a General Motors interface, Sperandio said, “I don’t know if it will be possible. We haven’t looked at the car yet. If there’s some way of interrupting the video that goes to the OEM screen, we will definitely do something.”
Following GM’s remarks on CarPlay, Ford CEO Jim Farley weighing in on X (Twitter) said, “We’re committed to keeping Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. @Ford customers love the features because they help keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. We work closely with Apple & Google to create a very high-quality experience for customers. And I think we have the best experience out there with SYNC 4A.”
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Listen – as American – very few of us are willing to go Backwards. Honda tried taking away power windows a few years ago – and that was a nice reason for consumers to come back into our stores. But GM omitting CarPlay – they are clearly NOT paying attention to any of the data that demonstrates HOW IMPORTANT the vehicle electronics system is.
Anyway – we say THANKS GM !!!!!
Please stop saying zz2 and rdv are kit makers. They are re-packers. I look forward to when the vehicles have US based technical solutions needed. Then it will be a true test on who really develops and who buys.
My thought, it is so they can get one more subscription. I don’t use CarPlay for text messages! I use it for access to my Pandora, Spotify, and Apple Music. And, of course Waze!
Sure, even if they had all of those apps accessible through their system, you would still have to connect your vehicle to your phone hotspot….(works super slow) or purchase some sort of OnStar so that your car has the service.
Feels like another way for GM to sell subscriptions. It will be their new OnStar.
100 percent agree!
I won’t even rent a car if it doesn’t have CarPlay, and certainly wouldn’t buy a vehicle that doesn’t have it. I believe this is a mistake on GM’s part. I drive a GMC Yukon Denali at the moment, when it’s time to replace this vehicle, if GMC doesn’t have CarPlay, I will absolutely be moving to a different auto manufacturer.
Let’s be serious they’re to cheap to pay the royalties. That doesn’t explain why they would drop wired. It should definitely help the independents.
i imagine their kickback from AT&T for the imbedded 4g is alot better!
…avoiding litigation… OEM has been screwing with us since i can remember…1973?
Manu-Pacturers.