Basic Motors
In shocking automotive information at this time, we have discovered that Basic Motors is planning to drop assist for each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from new electrical automobiles it plans to launch within the subsequent few years. The choice will not have an effect on any GM automobiles already available on the market, nor will it apply to gasoline- or diesel-powered GM automobiles within the coming years—simply EVs.
“As we scale our EVs and launch our Ultifi software program platform, we will do greater than ever earlier than with in-vehicle applied sciences and over-the-air updates. All of that is permitting us to consistently enhance the shopper expertise we will provide throughout our manufacturers,” mentioned Edward Kummer, GM’s chief digital officer.
GM advised Ars that it is transferring away from cellphone projection to supply clients a extra built-in resolution that sees Google Maps, Google Assistant, Audible, Spotify, and different functions run natively on its automobiles’ infotainment techniques.
I need to admit, I am moderately stunned by this determination. For starters, Apple CarPlay is wildly common; Apple says 79 p.c of recent automotive consumers insist on this characteristic. Whereas impartial surveys do not discover fairly this degree of demand, a 2020 survey confirmed 48 p.c of automotive consumers need CarPlay or Android Auto of their subsequent automobile.
Plus, GM is chargeable for one of the superior CarPlay and Android Auto integrations I’ve but encountered. Once we drove the Cadillac Lyriq final yr, it was the primary automobile we have encountered that might solid a map and instructions from a cellphone to the primary instrument panel along with or as an alternative of within the CarPlay or Android Auto window on the infotainment display.
The model-year 2024 Lyriq will retain CarPlay and Android Auto, as will the 2024 Hummer EV truck and SUV, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV, and the 2024 Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV.
The primary new GM EV to debut sans cellphone projection would be the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, which matches on sale later this yr, in addition to the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV (which is able to debut at beneath $30,000), the hand-made, low quantity 2024 Cadillac Celestiq (which is able to value roughly 10 instances as a lot as an Equinox EV), and the 2025 GMC Sierra EV.
GM says the Blazer EV will include “customary connectivity that permits clients to entry Google Maps and Google Assistant, at no extra value, for eight years starting at time of auto buy.”