Why are car companies dropping Apple CarPlay?

[pkenoyer]

You may or may not have read that GM has gotten rid of Apple CarPlay and android auto in their Chevy line. I’m not sure about the other lines but I definitely know Chevy was affected. So I read an article this morning when I was eating breakfast that stated that Ford, Toyota, and Volvo are shortly to follow. The entire premise is that they are developing their own software within the vehicle to use. I’m not sure if that is a good idea. Many people like myself love Apple CarPlay. And there’s other people out there who like android auto. I’m not quite sure why you would chase people away getting rid of a feature that is so widely used and is beneficial. People like myself do not like to text and drive. There are some people out there that for some reason too, but I do not like to text and drive with my hands on the phone. I really enjoy CarPlay for the multitude of features that has whether it’s texting by voice, listening to music, using maps. Whatever it may be.

The question I have for you all is this. Is this a feature that you religiously use and would this be something that would affect your day-to-day life or is it something that you can deal without? Reading on the forums and reading from Chevy forums people have said hey all you have to do is buy an external Apple CarPlay screen. But for me that doesn’t seem conducive because now you’re spending money on an external stereo that you should not have to buy. I don’t see the benefit of this decision

Car manufacturers having their own proprietary software is a terrible idea for consumers. I have a 2010 Toyota Highlander with Toyota's own entertainment software & map-gps. Several years ago I wanted to upgrade the system; I didn't because Toyota wanted $600 for a new DVD.

I wish my 2024 Ford Maverick had CarPlay, but it doesn't--it was not an option. I rented a Hyundai Tucson a couple weeks ago, and the CarePlay was great.

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[Mike S]

Car manufacturers having their own proprietary software is a terrible idea for consumers. I have a 2010 Toyota Highlander with Toyota's own entertainment software & map-gps. Several years ago I wanted to upgrade the system; I didn't because Toyota wanted $600 for a new DVD.

I wish my 2024 Ford Maverick had CarPlay, but it doesn't--it was not an option. I rented a Hyundai Tucson a couple weeks ago, and the CarePlay was great.

2024 Mavericks have CarPlay.

 

[Synner Syndrome]

I tried Apple car play once and hated it. It should never have been a thing in the first place, and I will be glad to see it disappear.

Whaaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?!

 

[llinthicum1]

A deal breaker for me.

 

[sprubs]

on my Toyota I'd have to pay a yearly subscription to use their built in nav.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Whaaaaaaaaaaa?!?!?!

Imagine hating something you don’t have to use at all if you don’t want to.

 

[Synner Syndrome]

Imagine hating something you don’t have to use at all if you don’t want to.

What does that mean? Your statement doesn’t even make sense

 

[ScottyC]

Including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is a simple equation of added software $$ that the manufacturer pays thus increasing the price of the vehicle. Don't include Apple CarPlay and save some money and increase your profit margins. I don't ever use Apple since I have an Android device....not a selling point to me.

 

[LSchicago]

Oof, that is not something I would want on my resume. GM infotainment systems have long been known as some of the worst in the industry. That's part of the reason why they've been criticized so badly for announcing they were dropping Carplay & Android Auto. No one really believes they are capable of building a good UI. Historically their infotainment systems have been a jumbled, laggy mess.

That's why he was there for 18 months, fixing bugs and making things work.

 

[egamar]

As has been noted in several previous posts the concept of controlling data looks great in a business model, but will likely fail miserably in practice. UX designers for Apple and Android apps iterate, tweak, adjust, and lean heavily on massive success to deliver user experiences that people are familiar with, trust, and generally enjoy. Proprietary apps from automakers are clunky, lack functionality, often have bugs, and will always lag behind mobility providers/manufacturers. I have a 2015 Toyota Highlander with a perfectly capable touch screen and Toyota's proprietary version of hideous software and navigation. Compared to the Sync4 CarPlay experience on my 2025 Maverick, you might as well be using Radio Shack TRS-80 (that's and old fn computer). CarPlay is significantly better. Any auto manufacturer who thinks they will do it better is foolish, or the vehicle itself provides such an awesome driving experience the media interface doesn't matter. Problem is any modern vehicle is heavily dependent on screen integration for feedback, control, etc., so it nearly impossible to have one without the other. Greedy manufacturers need to stay in their lanes and focus on doing what they do exceptionally well, not just marginally.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Ford, Toyota and Volvo aren't dropping ACP. They did all reject ACP Ultra. Another useless clickbait initiated thread...

I'm guessing that he either fabricated this or he fell for another AI clickbait article since after two days he still hasn't posted the link to what he read.

 

[Carlitos_92]

What does that mean? Your statement doesn’t even make sense

For the record, I was agreeing with your reaction that I quoted.

But rather than explain it to you like you're a 5-year-old, I'm just going to put you on "ignore," which would be my recommendation for any others who find you easily-triggered and argumentative.

I hope you find whatever it is you think you are looking for in a vehicle.

 

[rtphokie]

In addition to the control issues others have called out, manufacturers are still convinced they are better equipped to build a better infotainment system than Apple or Google. Despite consumers telling them otherwise for a decade. Even before then, stand alone gps units from Garmin and TomTom ran circles around the crappy sat nav car manufacturers insist on.

Every survey tells them the same thing, CarPlay/ AndroidAuto, especially CarPlay, is a deal breaker for vehicle buyers, up to 78% by one survey.

Even if GM does produce a reasonably functional customized GM branded AndroidAuto, it’s likely to be continually behind mainstream AndroidAuto because manufacturers have consistently demonstrated then are not just unwilling but unable to deploy software at anything approaching the pace Apple or Google, or any other software company is committed to.

 

[axel-moto]

I find it hard to believe the hit to sales would be worth the data gained/ licensing money saved.

I have never had a good experience with manufacturer infotainment, I have always had at least a decent experience with Android Auto and CarPlay and would not buy a new car without it. I would purchase a car with no infotainment though if that were an option, just give me a double DIN and we are good.

 

[gzebrick]

I find it hard to believe the hit to sales would be worth the data gained/ licensing money saved.

I have never had a good experience with manufacturer infotainment, I have always had at least a decent experience with Android Auto and CarPlay and would not buy a new car without it. I would purchase a car with no infotainment though if that were an option, just give me a double DIN and we are good.

I think that I the short term, it’s more about boosting the stock price and promising future revenue than actually making more profit per sales or even just increasing sales. It’s an announcement aimed at the share holders.

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