GM to Ditch CarPlay and Android Auto in EVs
Wireless and autonomous. Those are the two words that General Motors (GM) appears to be fixated on when it comes to the future of its vehicles. Well, actually, it’s three words if you count “Electric” (as in, electric vehicles).
However, as part of that fixations on a wireless and autonomous future, GM has confirmed that it will be discontinuing support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles starting in 2024.
The news comes courtesy of GM president Mark Reuss who confirmed the company’s plans during an interview with Reuters. “We don’t believe there will be a need for it by then,” Reuss said when asked about the company’s decision to kill off support for the two popular smartphone integration platforms.
The move is a bit of a head-scratcher, to be honest. After all, both CarPlay and Android Auto have become increasingly popular in recent years and are now supported by most major automakers. Furthermore, GM itself has been a big proponent of both platforms, offering support for them across its entire lineup of vehicles.
So, what’s changed? Why is GM so confident that it won’t need CarPlay or Android Auto in its vehicles just three years from now?
Well, the answer appears to be twofold. First, GM believes that the vehicles of the future will be much more autonomous than the vehicles of today. And, when you have a vehicle that can drive itself, there’s really no need for a smartphone integration platform like CarPlay or Android Auto.
Second, GM is betting big on its partnership with Google. The automaker has already committed to using Android as the primary operating system for its infotainment systems and it appears that the company is looking to expand that partnership in the future.
In fact, Reuss hinted that GM is already working with Google on some sort of “next-generation interface” that would be used in its vehicles. “We’re working with them on the next-generation interface for our customers,” Reuss said.
So, there you have it. GM is ditching both CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of a future that is more autonomous and more closely aligned with Google.
Personally, I think this is a mistake. I think GM is underestimating the popularity of both CarPlay and Android Auto and, as a result, is alienating a large portion of its customer base.
Time will tell if GM’s gamble pays off or if it ends up being a costly mistake.
