Car Makers Resist Apple’s Dashboard Takeover Bid
▼ Summary
– Apple’s CarPlay Ultra faces resistance from major carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, and Renault, who reject its dashboard takeover.
– Some automakers, including Renault, view Apple’s expansion into driver screens as overreach, preferring to develop their own systems.
– CarPlay Ultra integrates iPhone features with vehicle data like speed and fuel use, but few brands beyond Aston Martin have adopted it.
– Carmakers are creating proprietary infotainment systems to retain control over in-car services and data revenue.
– Despite high CarPlay adoption rates in the US, automakers face a dilemma as Apple’s free upgrade threatens their own platforms.
The automotive industry is pushing back against Apple’s ambitious plans to dominate vehicle dashboards with its latest CarPlay Ultra software. Despite the tech giant’s expectations of widespread adoption, major manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault have publicly rejected the system. Their reluctance highlights a growing tension between carmakers and tech companies over who controls the digital experience inside modern vehicles.
General Motors set a precedent last year by removing both CarPlay and Android Auto from some of its electric models in North America. While few have followed suit, the move sparked a broader debate about how much influence tech firms should have over in-car interfaces. Renault, which is collaborating with Google and Qualcomm on a software-driven vehicle, openly challenged Apple’s approach, with one executive stating, “Don’t try to invade our own systems.”
CarPlay Ultra goes beyond traditional smartphone mirroring, integrating critical vehicle data like temperature, speed, and fuel consumption directly into the dashboard. Aston Martin recently became the first automaker to adopt the system, but most brands are doubling down on proprietary infotainment platforms. Carmakers see these systems as vital for unlocking new revenue streams from subscriptions, services, and data analytics.
Apple claims 98% of new cars in the U.S. support CarPlay, with drivers using it over 600 million times daily. Yet, as the company rolls out its free upgrade to deepen ties with iPhone users, automakers face a tough choice: embrace Apple’s ecosystem or risk alienating customers accustomed to its convenience. The standoff underscores a fundamental battle for control, one where car manufacturers are determined not to cede their dashboards without a fight.
(Source: Ars Technica)
