General Motors (GM) has announced that it will phase out the use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicles. Instead, GM will use a built-in infotainment systems developed with Google. This change will start with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow drivers to mirror their smartphone screens on their vehicle’s dashboard display. By using its own infotainment system, GM will be able to collect more data on how drivers use and charge their electric vehicles.
The General will continue to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its combustion engine models. Owners of vehicles already equipped with these systems will still be able to use them.
The decision to phase out Apple CarPlay is a setback for Apple in its competition with Google for space on vehicle dashboards in North America. GM’s Chevrolet brand previously boasted about offering more models with CarPlay or Android Auto than any other brand.
GM has been working with Google since 2019 to develop infotainment systems that are more tightly integrated with other vehicle systems, such as GM’s Super Cruise driver assistant. GM is also accelerating its strategy to offer digital subscription services on its electric vehicles.
Buyers of GM electric vehicles equipped with the new infotainment system will have access to Google Maps and Google Assistant at no extra cost for eight years.
In summary, GM is phasing out the use of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicles in favor of a built-in infotainment system developed with Google. This change will start with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer and is part of GM’s strategy to offer more digital services on its electric vehicles.
ElectrifiedMag’s Take: Relax Apple fans, you can still connect your cell phone to a GM infotainment system via Bluetooth. What this really is about, is the battle for your car’s interior screen and the goldmine of data it provides. In fact, both Apple and Google have been working on the “OS of Cars” for years now. Both want to create an operating system that controls/monitors every function of your automobile. Cars of today have a proprietary OS to control all sorts of functions, but having one common system opens up many benefits like standardized apps, updates, and entertainment choices.
This is a blow to Apple, but GM could end up with a black eye as it could be seen as “unhip” and turn buyers off as a narrative could be created that GM’s cars “Don’t work with Apple products.” Charging a subscription is prickly as well. Again, you can still Bluetooth your Apple device to your car’s infotainment system and most people have a phone attached to the console or dash anyway. This is about who wins the battle to be “the VHS” of automobile operating systems. Chalk one up for Alphabet here.