General Motors may be the just first of many carmakers to ditch the popular phone mirroring system.
Apple CarPlay as seen in a Buick
First seen in the 2014 Ferrari FF sporty GT, Apple CarPlay has become a staple connectivity feature in new vehicles, allowing drivers to “mirror” their Apple phones on a vehicle’s touchscreen, and enjoy voice-activated integrated control of phone, text, email, and entertainment functions. – Is CarPlay Dead?
Is CarPlay Dead?
First Use of CarPlay
Despite early adoption of the system—the Chevrolet Corvette came standard with it beginning in 2016–General Motors recently stunned enthusiasts by dropping CarPlay functionality from its electric-vehicle lineup. The maker instead will rely on a native unbranded system to handle the connectivity chores once managed by CarPlay.
Dropping CarPlay: Electric Vehicles First
And despite considerable social-media pushback, GM is moving ahead with plans to drop CarPlay from its electric-vehicle offerings, as well as Android Auto. Android Auto, which seems to enjoy considerably less consumer affection.
Dropping CarPlay: Everything Else
Perhaps due to relatively strong company EV sales—especially of the Chevrolet Equinox EV–GM has been emboldened to further curtail CarPlay availability, though not immediately. During an interview with the Verge’s Decoder podcast, GM CEO Mary Barra revealed company plans to drop CarPlay from all its future products, not just the EVs.
Centralized Computing Platform
Apple CarPlay as seen in a Mercedes-Benz
The decision and implementation timing coincide with GM’s development of a next-generation Centralized Computing Platform (sometimes referred to as Ultifi). The system, which reduces the number of on-board control modules and improves the ability for over-the-air (OTA) software updates, will eventually be integrated into every GM vehicle, and will bring the maker’s lineup closer to being what industry insiders refer to as “software defined vehicles.” This is an industrywide goal for all automakers.
Google Built-in
A new infotainment and vehicle-control system comes as part of that update, and precludes the use of CarPlay. The new, as yet unbranded system, will incorporate Google built-in into its design, and should include most of the functionality that CarPlay users currently expect in their cars.
Replacing CarPlay
Indeed, reviews of the new GM phone integration system are mostly positive, though many diehard Apple fans remain unconvinced.
Super Cruise
The new Centralized Computing Platform will begin arriving in GM vehicles for the 2028 model year, and also brings with it an update of the maker’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system which will permit drivers to look away from the road. The new Super Cruise system is likely to be the first such system available nationwide. (Mercedes-Benz offers a similarly capable autonomous driving system now, but its use is restricted to a limited number of geofenced regions of the country.)
Cadillac Escalade IQ
The electric Cadillac Escalade IQ large SUV will be the first GM vehicle equipped with the new Super Cruise system. As it is electric, it is already equipped with GM’s non-CarPlay device interface.
Time Frame for Replacing CarPlay
General Motor’s Centralized Computing Platform will be incorporated into new models as they are redesigned, so the process of eliminating CarPlay, and integrating the more-advance Super Cruise system, will take place over a number of years, likely through 2031-2032.
Cars Without CarPlay
Note that, despite the apparent popularity of CarPlay, the Tesla Model Y small crossover became the world’s best-selling car model without the feature. Likewise, Rivian’s popular R1S and R1T crossover and pickup truck are also sold without CarPlay.
Subscription Fee
Sources are reporting that GM will offer its CarPlay replacement at no cost for eight years, after which a monthly charge will be required for its use. No word, as yet, what that charge will be. Were we to guess, we’d expect the new connectivity system along with the updated Super Cruise option to be bundled for around $75.00 a month.
Final thoughts
We believe that GM will be the first of many carmakers to excise CarPlay from their vehicle offerings. Maker’s don’t want to share customer data with Apple, and at some point in the future, the plan is to charge a monthly fee for the connectivity service. No maker wants to share that “recurring revenue” with Apple if they don’t have to.
Note that Apple introduced an updated version of CarPlay dubbed CarPlay Ultra in 2022. Though Aston Martin adopted Ultra in 2024, no other carmaker has expressed interest in the new system.
Clearly General Motors has determined that the absence of CarPlay is not a significant customer-purchase deterrent, or it would not have gone ahead with plans to excise the system from its entire product portfolio. It is a certainty that other carmakers are watching customer reaction to GM’s actions closely, with plans to drop CarPlay if the sales hit proves to be less than significant.
Is CarPlay Dead?
General Motors may be the just first of many carmakers to ditch the popular phone mirroring system.
First seen in the 2014 Ferrari FF sporty GT, Apple CarPlay has become a staple connectivity feature in new vehicles, allowing drivers to “mirror” their Apple phones on a vehicle’s touchscreen, and enjoy voice-activated integrated control of phone, text, email, and entertainment functions. – Is CarPlay Dead?
Is CarPlay Dead?
First Use of CarPlay
Despite early adoption of the system—the Chevrolet Corvette came standard with it beginning in 2016–General Motors recently stunned enthusiasts by dropping CarPlay functionality from its electric-vehicle lineup. The maker instead will rely on a native unbranded system to handle the connectivity chores once managed by CarPlay.
Dropping CarPlay: Electric Vehicles First
And despite considerable social-media pushback, GM is moving ahead with plans to drop CarPlay from its electric-vehicle offerings, as well as Android Auto. Android Auto, which seems to enjoy considerably less consumer affection.
Dropping CarPlay: Everything Else
Perhaps due to relatively strong company EV sales—especially of the Chevrolet Equinox EV–GM has been emboldened to further curtail CarPlay availability, though not immediately. During an interview with the Verge’s Decoder podcast, GM CEO Mary Barra revealed company plans to drop CarPlay from all its future products, not just the EVs.
Centralized Computing Platform
The decision and implementation timing coincide with GM’s development of a next-generation Centralized Computing Platform (sometimes referred to as Ultifi). The system, which reduces the number of on-board control modules and improves the ability for over-the-air (OTA) software updates, will eventually be integrated into every GM vehicle, and will bring the maker’s lineup closer to being what industry insiders refer to as “software defined vehicles.” This is an industrywide goal for all automakers.
Google Built-in
A new infotainment and vehicle-control system comes as part of that update, and precludes the use of CarPlay. The new, as yet unbranded system, will incorporate Google built-in into its design, and should include most of the functionality that CarPlay users currently expect in their cars.
Replacing CarPlay
Indeed, reviews of the new GM phone integration system are mostly positive, though many diehard Apple fans remain unconvinced.
Super Cruise
The new Centralized Computing Platform will begin arriving in GM vehicles for the 2028 model year, and also brings with it an update of the maker’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system which will permit drivers to look away from the road. The new Super Cruise system is likely to be the first such system available nationwide. (Mercedes-Benz offers a similarly capable autonomous driving system now, but its use is restricted to a limited number of geofenced regions of the country.)
Cadillac Escalade IQ
The electric Cadillac Escalade IQ large SUV will be the first GM vehicle equipped with the new Super Cruise system. As it is electric, it is already equipped with GM’s non-CarPlay device interface.
Time Frame for Replacing CarPlay
General Motor’s Centralized Computing Platform will be incorporated into new models as they are redesigned, so the process of eliminating CarPlay, and integrating the more-advance Super Cruise system, will take place over a number of years, likely through 2031-2032.
Cars Without CarPlay
Note that, despite the apparent popularity of CarPlay, the Tesla Model Y small crossover became the world’s best-selling car model without the feature. Likewise, Rivian’s popular R1S and R1T crossover and pickup truck are also sold without CarPlay.
Subscription Fee
Sources are reporting that GM will offer its CarPlay replacement at no cost for eight years, after which a monthly charge will be required for its use. No word, as yet, what that charge will be. Were we to guess, we’d expect the new connectivity system along with the updated Super Cruise option to be bundled for around $75.00 a month.
Final thoughts
We believe that GM will be the first of many carmakers to excise CarPlay from their vehicle offerings. Maker’s don’t want to share customer data with Apple, and at some point in the future, the plan is to charge a monthly fee for the connectivity service. No maker wants to share that “recurring revenue” with Apple if they don’t have to.
Note that Apple introduced an updated version of CarPlay dubbed CarPlay Ultra in 2022. Though Aston Martin adopted Ultra in 2024, no other carmaker has expressed interest in the new system.
Clearly General Motors has determined that the absence of CarPlay is not a significant customer-purchase deterrent, or it would not have gone ahead with plans to excise the system from its entire product portfolio. It is a certainty that other carmakers are watching customer reaction to GM’s actions closely, with plans to drop CarPlay if the sales hit proves to be less than significant.
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Apple CarPlay Pictures
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