General Motors (NYSE: GM) will soon remove widely-used Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity from its electric vehicles. The carmaker will instead outfit its new EVs with Google-supported infotainment systems.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto only allow users to connect to the car’s infotainment system and mirror their smartphone’s screen in the dashboard display. The system that the carmaker is developing with Google will be more integrated with key vehicle systems as GM is speeding up its strategy to turn its EVs into platforms for digital subscription services, according to Reuters.
“We believe a simple, seamless and built-in experience that integrates basic infotainment features with key vehicle systems is the best path forward,” Anna Yu, a spokesperson for GM, told Motor Authority. “Requiring our customers to navigate in and out of different solutions and go back and forth for different needs is not seamless.”
The shift to Google’s system could also help GM get more data on its consumers’ driving and charging habits.
GM says that this integration will give drivers native access to Google features such as Google Maps and Google Assistant voice recognition at no extra cost for the first eight years. Drivers will also get native access to Spotify, other apps will be available through the Google Play Store.
The 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, the first GM EV without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, is scheduled to be released in the summer. It will be followed by the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac Celestiq, and 2025 GMC Sierra EV.
The rest of GM’s EV fleet — the GMC Hummer EV SUV and Pickup, 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, 2024 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, and the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV — will still have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto until at least the 2024 model year.
Information for this briefing was found via Reuters, Motor Authority, and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
