General Motors will begin phasing out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its electric vehicles starting later this year. The carmaker will instead shift to an in-house infotainment system co-developed with Google (via Reuters).
GM owns various automating divisions (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC in the United States. It will stop offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its EVs starting this summer when the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer goes on sale.
The automaker will continue to offer CarPlay and Android Auto in its combustion engine-based vehicles, which are scheduled to be phased out by 2035, as the automaker transitions to an all-electric vehicle lineup. Current owners of GM vehicles equipped with CarPlay and Android Auto will continue to be able to use their vehicle’s infotainment systems.
GM has been working on its new infotainment system with Google since 2019. The system is tightly integrated with other vehicle systems including navigation and “Super Cruise” driver assistant. The new infotainment systems will continue to offer applications and iPhone users will be able to connect to the car’s Bluetooth connection to continue to make phone calls and listen to music and other audio content. GM will offer access to Google Maps and Google Assistant in their EVs for a period of eight years.
The new system will allow GM to gather more information about owners’ driving habits and also allow the company to accelerate its strategy for vehicle-related digital subscription services.