These manufacturers don't want anything to do with Apple CarPlay Ultra after all
After a year's delay, the new generation of Apple CarPlay, dubbed CarPlay Ultra and more deeply integrated into the vehicle “to offer the best of the iPhone and the best of the car”, began its rollout in mid-May with Aston Martin. Existing models equipped with the latest infotainment system will also be able to get it via a software update in the coming weeks.
Other brands will follow suit. Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have already been confirmed, without specifying when they will be available. However, several are in the process of withdrawing.
When the technology was first unveiled in 2022, Apple reported that Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault and Volvo had all expressed interest. However, a new article in the Financial Times reports that Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Polestar and Renault have changed their minds and no longer want to integrate CarPlay Ultra.
The reason? It's easy to imagine that these car companies feel that Apple's new system goes too far. In fact, a Renault executive quoted by the publication is said to have told the electronics giant, “Don't try to invade our own systems.”
Jaguar and Land Rover are reportedly still studying the possible adoption of CarPlay Ultra in their vehicles, while Ford, Nissan and Infiniti have declined to disclose their plans.
Let's be clear: the original version of CarPlay will continue to be offered. However, the brands that have decided against Ultra clearly wish to retain greater control over their interfaces and the various functionalities that accompany them. Some of these can be paid for by subscription, which represents an important source of revenue for automakers.
