By Key Points
- CarPlay Ultra takes over entire vehicle displays
- Big names like Aston Martin and Porsche are on board
- General Motors and Audi firmly say no
- Others like Toyota still on the fence
Apple’s next-gen CarPlay Ultra is creating a clear divide in the auto industry. Some automakers are embracing the immersive new system, while others are either resisting or stalling.
The updated version of CarPlay doesn’t just mirror your iPhone—it now embeds itself into multiple vehicle functions like speedometers, air conditioning, and radio controls.
Announced back in 2022 and finally rolling out to select carmakers in 2025, CarPlay Ultra promises a more seamless and deeply integrated driving experience. But this is also exactly why it’s become a hot-button topic for car manufacturers.
Here’s the single reason why Apple CarPlay SUCKS and Android Auto is MILES AHEAD in terms of usability. There are lots of such annoyances throughout the UI. Who are these UX designers at Apple??? pic.twitter.com/lYYN8dQCPS
— Sumukh Rao (@RaoSumukh) January 1, 2025
While Apple wants to expand its footprint in cars, automakers are being asked to hand over control of key user interfaces—something that’s making many uneasy. Some are worried about losing valuable customer data, while others fear ceding too much power to a tech giant known for its tight ecosystem.
The growing influence of tech in everyday products can be seen elsewhere too, like the next-gen Xbox powered by AMD and Google’s evolving Gemini AI features, both changing how users interact with devices.
Apple’s CarPlay Ultra faces a long road to becoming a widely-used feature, as car makers are pushing back on supporting Apple’s system in favor of their own solutions. By @MalcolmOwen
— AppleInsider (@appleinsider) June 25, 2025
Automakers Take Sides Over CarPlay Ultra Integration
The auto industry now finds itself in clear camps over CarPlay Ultra. Luxury brands like Aston Martin and Porsche are moving full steam ahead, integrating the system into upcoming vehicles. Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, and Renault are also planning to support the system in future models.
On the other hand, big names like General Motors and Audi have no interest in allowing Apple to take over the digital dashboard. In fact, GM has already announced it’s phasing out CarPlay entirely from its EV lineup starting this year.
These Apple CarPlay Ultra Partners Now Say They Won’t Support It https://t.co/zw41LdV9NU pic.twitter.com/LyZimvFgnp
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) June 25, 2025
Their reason? They want to develop their own in-house system that can evolve with over-the-air updates and deliver new features independently of Apple.
Still, there’s a large group of undecided brands, including BMW, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar-Land Rover, and Polestar. Some, like Toyota and Volkswagen, haven’t made their positions clear yet, even though they’re among the world’s top carmakers.
Here’s how the lineup looks today:
- Adopted: Aston Martin, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Renault
- Planning to Adopt: Porsche, Nissan, Infiniti
- Still Evaluating: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Jaguar-Land Rover, Polestar
- No Plans to Adopt: Audi
- Actively Blocking: General Motors
In an age where user-friendly design is critical, features like Windows 11’s boot sound refresh show how even small software tweaks can enhance experience. CarPlay Ultra is no different—it brings a familiar iPhone-like interface to the car, something many users already trust and prefer.
FT reported that Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Renault said they have no plans to bring the upgraded software (CarPlay Ultra) to their vehicles, despite earlier indications from Apple $AAPL that they would. pic.twitter.com/JiCHntNd12
— Ray Wang (@rwang07) June 25, 2025
User Demand vs Automaker Strategy
Despite the internal hesitations, there’s no denying one thing: drivers love CarPlay. Surveys consistently show that users prefer Apple’s system over their car’s default infotainment software. Many even consider CarPlay support a deal-breaker when buying a new car.
This puts automakers in a tough spot. On one hand, they want to meet customer expectations. On the other, they’ve spent billions building their own smart car ecosystems and digital platforms. Giving up that control to Apple feels like losing a major business edge.
One of the biggest sticking points is data sharing. Automakers want clear agreements with Apple on how data is collected and who owns it. Until those terms are defined, many will remain on the fence.
This mirrors a broader consumer trend where tech integration and convenience are winning—like Apple’s MagSafe wallet tracker, which fuses hardware with seamless iOS functionality, or how the rumored RTX 5050 GPU could revolutionize entry-level gaming laptops.
As the lines are drawn and partnerships are formed, it’s clear that CarPlay Ultra is forcing the auto industry to rethink its relationship with tech. The next 12 months will be key in determining just how much space Apple gets inside your next car.
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