- CarPlay Ultra: iPhone Takes Full Control of the Dashboard
- Growing Hesitation and Clear Withdrawals from Major Automakers
- Data Control at the Heart of the Battle Between Apple and Automakers
- Will Apple Succeed in Pushing the New CarPlay?
Apple’s CarPlay has become a staple in modern driving experiences, thanks to its seamless integration with iPhones and user friendly interface. But Apple is no longer content with being just a supporting feature. With the introduction of its ambitious CarPlay Ultra system, the tech giant is aiming to reshape the future of in car experiences. This bold move has triggered widespread debate across the automotive industry, especially as several major manufacturers push back against fully adopting the new system in their upcoming models.
CarPlay Ultra: iPhone Takes Full Control of the Dashboard
Apple unveiled its groundbreaking CarPlay Ultra system at WWDC 2022, introducing a bold shift in how drivers interact with their vehicles. Instead of displaying limited apps like maps or music on a single screen, the new version expands Apple’s reach to take over every display in the car. That includes the digital instrument cluster, central infotainment screen, climate control interface, and even battery or fuel usage data.
CarPlay Ultra connects directly to the vehicle’s internal systems to display real time data such as speed, RPM, battery range, and fuel consumption. This allows drivers to fully customize the layout of their digital dashboard and manage virtually all vehicle functions through their iPhone. With this move, CarPlay evolves from a supportive infotainment option into a full fledged alternative to the car’s native operating system.
Growing Hesitation and Clear Withdrawals from Major Automakers
Despite the technical advancements promised by Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra, enthusiasm among automakers remains relatively reserved. Some brands, like Porsche and Audi, have shown partial openness to the idea, while Mercedes Benz has linked its support to how well the system aligns with its own digital strategy. Meanwhile, Honda, Ford, and Nissan have expressed initial willingness to explore the integration, whereas brands like Volvo and Range Rover are still evaluating whether the system fits their future product plans.
The most decisive move has come from General Motors, which officially announced it will begin phasing out support for CarPlay in some of its upcoming electric vehicles, including models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV. GM confirmed that it will instead rely on an in house operating system developed in collaboration with Google, incorporating tools such as Google Maps and Google Assistant. The aim is to offer a more seamlessly integrated and customizable digital experience without relying on external software providers.
As for BMW and Tesla, neither has committed to supporting CarPlay Ultra. Both brands continue to favor their proprietary systems, which they believe better reflect their tech focused identity and their independent strategies for delivering a unique driving experience.
Data Control at the Heart of the Battle Between Apple and Automakers
Beyond visual interfaces and sleek dashboard designs, the real battle between Apple and car manufacturers revolves around ownership of user data. Automakers now view in car data as a priceless asset, ranging from driving behavior and daily usage patterns to micro level details like seat positioning and cabin climate preferences. This data is instrumental in improving digital services, predicting maintenance needs, enhancing personalized experiences, and precisely targeting in car advertising.
Apple, on the other hand, emphasizes its strict privacy policies and highlights full encryption as a core promise to protect user information. However, the company still maintains direct control over the data transmitted through CarPlay via the iPhone. This level of control is viewed by many automakers as a serious threat to their business models. Handing over such valuable insights to an outside tech company, even one as influential as Apple, represents a risk that several manufacturers are unwilling to take.
Will Apple Succeed in Pushing the New CarPlay?
The future of CarPlay Ultra hinges on Apple’s ability to earn the trust of global automakers. In the mid range and economy segments, the chances of collaboration seem higher, especially with Korean and Chinese brands like Nio and Xpeng that are eager to adopt ready made digital systems to boost their appeal among younger tech savvy drivers.
However, the luxury car segment presents a tougher challenge. Brands like Mercedes Benz and BMW consider the infotainment interface a core part of their identity and customer experience. These automakers prefer to retain full control over their in car operating systems, viewing any reliance on an external tech company like Apple as a potential threat to their brand distinction.
