GM Is Comfortable About Its Decision To Not Offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto In Its EVs
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As GM Authority covered late last month, The General has announced that it will not offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring in its future all-electric vehicle lineup. Rather, the automaker will install a new infotainment system developed in partnership with Google that will holistically integrate with the rest of the vehicle. While the move is viewed as controversial by some, one GM executive says that the automaker is comfortable with the decision.
In a recent interview with The Verge, the GM vice president of software, Scott Miller, defended the decision to no longer offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in GM’s future EV lineup.
“We are very comfortable with our decision,” Miller told The Verge. “We are going to evolve and learn, and I think we are going to be in good shape here.”
The first GM vehicle to no longer offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV. Going forward, GM has developed a new infotainment system with Google that will allow the automaker to capture additional data on how its customers drive and charge their all-electric vehicles. The new system will also provide GM with an avenue to accelerate its strategy of launching a slew of new digital subscription services, a move which GM CEO Mary Barra predicts will generate $20 billion to $25 billion in annual revenue by the 2030 calendar year.
2024 Chevy Blazer EV SS
At the same time, GM’s ICE-based vehicles will continue to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while GM customers who own vehicles equipped with the systems will continue to have access to the related features.
Nevertheless, GM has been roundly criticized for the move. However, the automaker remains steadfast that the launch of a new, native infotainment system will allow the automaker to offer a holistic experience, for example, pre-warming the all-electric vehicle’s battery pack when the navigation system destination is set to a charging station. What’s more, Miller explains that a native experience would potentially circumvent the need for device pairing.
2024 Chevy Blazer EV SS
“We do have customer data that says when system is embedded and it just works and you don’t have to fumble with your phone or pair it or do other things with it, you get in your vehicle and everything works seamlessly,” Miller said. “It knows you, it recognizes you and sets it up for you. They will like that better.”
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Curious to see how good their system will be. If AA /ACP will even be missed? If you can add apps to GMs system that allows users to use same music from phone, that should minimize moat concerns.
Reality is right now we have no idea what this new system will be like so why all the complaining??
It’s just reskinned Android Automotive that is already available in other vehicles. But those other systems also provide CarPlay. Because people want to be able to integrate with apps and services already on their phone and not have to pay for new services or duplicate services.
This is a poor decision by GM.
I am a GM retirée and will not buy another GM vehicle if they do away with car play,
They also want to make it mandatory to pay upfront for onstar up front.
Just another money cost that I don’t meet.
I’ve had 10 Gm or Chevy trucks and SUVs. It’s simple I won’t buy one that doesn’t offer car play.
This is dumb. I love Apple car play.
I loved my blackberry but yet I was forced to type on glass. You will get over it and move on. I haven’t missed connecting my phone in my Model 3. It really isn’t that big of a deal. The apps work great.
I miss CarPlay in my model 3, every time after going back to it from driving our car with CarPlay.
I agree with Toney. Besides, there are many simple cellphone users who cannot use either app. So if the EV offers it for them, they don’t have to buy a newer phone.
I have a Samsung phone but I don’t need either app to drive my car that doesn’t offer them.
I work at a Volvo dealership. Volvo has now moved to a Google based system. Maybe GM should take a moment to think about this and talk to the sales people, fleet people, service writers and technicians before doing this.
Said it before and will again. Some times it’s just so freeking nice to jump into my 86 Seville or 88 Cimarron and not have to deal with all these gizmos. But I do like and use my Apple Carplay and they system in my 2023 Bolt EV works perfectly fine.
The Volvo based system also supports CarPlay, IIRC.
rEVolutionary: Yes, it does now. But it didn’t at first and boy were we getting beat up by customers!
I don’t think anyone has ever said it’s nice to jump into a Cimarron.
BDizzleFizzle: Sorry you feel that way. When’s the last time you rode in or drove one? But honestly I think it’s a real duchy move to say that.
Car play and Android auto meant free Spotify streaming, free maps, free all sorts of stuff. This approach seems to be more about stealing / collecting data and nickel and diming for features on a monthly basis.
The bigger issue is that storing personal and confidential data in a vehicle is a very dangerous practice. While this is also true of a cell phone, Apple has enjoyed an aggressive lead in security, protecting personal data, and leading from the front on most such matters. It doesnt matter whether GM charges ot not, never store any personal data in a vehicle.
but after you’re done driving the vehicle aren’t you going to disconnect it until the next time you are going to drive again.. isn’t this how the system is going to work??
Not sure who is doing their marketing samples on this but I have heard from no one willing to give up their free car play or Android auto. This will backfire big time on GM.
“ “We do have customer data that says when system is embedded and it just works and you don’t have to fumble with your phone or pair it or do other things with it, you get in your vehicle and everything works seamlessly,” Miller said. “It knows you, it recognizes you and sets it up for you. They will like that better.”
This tells me he has never used CarPlay. It’s either very simple to plug-in or seamless with wireless CarPlay. No “fumbling” with a phone.
Not only will you have to pay for app services…you will also have to pay for Internet for your vehicle…more money for OnStar. I wonder who owns OnStar? That company will make even more money. (Yes, I’m being sarcastic).
AM and FM are enough for me. Usually don’t turn on the radio anyway.
Definitely done with GM. No Car Play and moving to all electric cars. Order the flowers and plan the funeral. GM is going to spiral down into oblivion.
Ok by me, not even sure what it is. Just give me a good AM/FM stereo and I’ll be fine.
Sorry, I missed that this is an EV issue, never mind it will never effect me.
It’s all about the money, “a slew of new digital subscription services”. Everyone in the world wants to sell subscription services, most of us don’t want it or need it. Google seemed to muscle its way into it. Google probably give a big picture to GM on all the money they can make to pay for EV development. Wait until advertisers get into the mix. But wait, there is more, Ad free app’s, only $6,99 plus applicable taxes.
So, no connection to the smartphone? How will calls and messaging work? OnStar? Will OnStar use your cell number or have another number that people will need to have?
No car play will cancel my 2024 Lyric order. It is a seamless connection in all the vehicles I have used it in. This is a move to a proprietary system. All about the $!!!
It’s “All about the $!!!”. Well, I find that shocking – just shocking!! (That was sarcasm). Apple wants to own GM’s EV operating system. GM says no, and I think that’s reasonable. Apple is all about the money. So is Google/Android. So is GM.
This is a huge transition period for tech and autos. The digital real estate inside a car is worth a LOT of money. People spend 1-2 hours a day in cars, and they want digital connections, and everyone wants the money associated with that. Everyone.
What I don’t understand is why GM is partnering with a competitor. Google is developing Waymo – a potentially strong competitor to GM. Why doesn’t GM partner with Microsoft? Not a competitor in vehicles, where Apple and Google are current or self-stated (Apple car) competitors.
The war of the digital eco-systems. In time, all car companies will get engaged. Autonomous driving will be the final battleground underlying vehicle digital within 5-7 years. GM, Google, Mercedes, VW, Ford, Apple, are ALL working on autonomous.
Frankly, GM is in the lead, and they want to leverage that lead into owning vehicle digital. We’ll see how the evolves. IMHO, GM would do well to offer OnStar (and the attached vehicle digital platform), at a nominal cost. I think consumers will resist being charged yet another group of fees from yet another digital provider….
Some of us couldn’t care any less. I honestly don’t know what Apple Car Play is but based on these comments it must be something!?
They missed a few words in their statement, “We are very comfortable with our decision,” it should say, “We are very comfortable with our decision to suck a lot of money from our customers,” Also, note the monthly fee is not disclosed at this announcement, looking at the ripoff fee on On Star $50 per month, how much more or less than On Star will it be.
Yup. So, if you don’t pay for subscription. You cannot prewarm your car, open the windows and charge. You must pay x$/month to get it.
This is the new norm. This is the way. The GM way.
So what will happen with “On Star”? GM tried to force it on certain models and people walked out of the showroom when they learned $1500 for the privilege. That seemed to have backfired.
Super Cruise? That is a $30+ per month privilege.
One day Google will muscle into GM and take control via stock purchases as the manufacturers will become AI and software tech companies. Manufacturing of vehicles will become secondary.
Big mistake for GM. Do a little research and you will be shocked how many drivers use CarPlay. They are letting Mary Barr’s desire to collect those additional subscription fees determine the direction. We already have too many fees and plans and monthly subscriptions on our GM products.
I for one will not purchase any new vehicle that does not have Apple CarPlay integrated in it. I want access to the same apps I use everyday inside my car as I already use outside my car. This means without Apple CarPlay in a car, it’s a deal breaker.
I also do not want to provide any of my data to Google nor GM unnecessarily.
Furthermore, I do not want any paid services or advertising within my vehicle.
For me this will be another delay in my adoption of any BEV.
I hope GM reverses their decision to drop Apple CarPlay otherwise I will need to reverse my decision (make before this announcement) to purchase a Cadillac Lyriq.
If your long term position is you must have Apple Car Play, then you will eventually own an Apple car. The question is do you “own” your Apple Car Play, or does Apple own you – they have you locked into their ecosystem, and you pay top dollar for everything, and you have no option but to buy what Apple decides to offer you, at a price that Apple sets. There’s a reason they have $245 billion dollars in cash on hand. Cash. On hand. From their customers. Who are prisoners in the Apple ecosystem. A nice prison, to be sure, but still a prison. And you’re a willing inmate….
That’s the point. We are willing inmates whether it’s apple or Samsung. We’ve made the choice for our selves.
All your points are cogent and great points that at least I am willing to acknowledge but I have made the decision to pay premium dollars for a premium product that I have integrated into my life across my car, my business, my home and my entertainment. Again, My Choice. I’m not happy about being forced into someone else’s eco system just so I can pay yet another fee for a digital subscription when my chosen provider gives me everything I want and more. I’m especially unhappy when we all know damn well that GM’s experience is going to be garbage when compared to Apple. If it’s not I’ll eat my words and sell my tesla and buy a new blazer but a betting man would be foolish to think that GM is going to give you any of this for less than a kings ransom or that it will come anywhere close to the apple/android experience across one’s entire digital eco system. It’s just yet another thing to “fumble with”. Wake up GM!
Will never own a vehicle again that doesn’t have wireless Apple Car Play. Not paying for a subscription to use features that come on a vehicle.
I’m so relieved that I bought a Bolt before they took CarPlay away, as I won’t be buying any car without it. But since I only buy cars every 15 years or so, I should be good for now, and who knows what they’ll have come up with in 15 years. I too think it’s a big mistake on GM’s part, and a pretty transparent money grab (though I’m sure the engineers are also on board, since they don’t have to make sure their system works with Apple and Android.)
The Chinese company is going to collect all your data both auto and personal. Mary said this move will generate 20-25 billion in subscription revenue a year. This follows the agenda of our current administration. Control and financial greed. The majority of people cannot afford EVs or do not want to buy them. This move by GM gives the consumer yet another reason not to buy a GM EV. The auto industry will not survive the government EV mandates.
Agree it’s about $$. No shock there considering GM is a for profit corporation. But they my lose more customers than financial gain. The underlying tech stack they are using is able to support CarPlay, so they may change their minds if they have to.
Regarding the rest of your post, the majority of people can’t afford new cars regardless of drivetrain. 80% of car purchases are used vehicles, in the US. But prices are falling and many more model options are coming.
And the auto industry will have no problems adapting to the inevitable transition to EV. Government policies can’t really change if the transition happens, just how fast it will happen. Automakers need to plan for it, and those that don’t plan well. will fail or get consumed by other players. But the industry as a whole will survive.