General Motors (GM) recently instructed dealerships to halt the installation of aftermarket Apple CarPlay and Android Auto retrofit packages on its electric vehicles (EVs). This action comes after GM announced that it would end support for these popular smartphone integration systems in its newer EVs and utilize its own infotainment platform called Ultifi instead.
The aftermarket kits, developed by White Automotive, were designed to restore Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality in GM’s EVs, including the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, and Cadillac Lyriq. The kits supported both wired and wireless projection of smartphone functionality onto the vehicles’ infotainment screens, digital gauge clusters, and heads-up displays. Humans even utilized Siri or Google Assistant as if the feature was embedded within the device manufacturing factory.
But GM based its decision to cancel such installations on concerns that aftermarket kits would interfere with essential vehicle operations and could stop working in response to future software updates. The company maintained that such aftermarket services add unnecessary features and create unforeseen consequences for customers that could affect safety features and invalidate parts of the vehicle warranty.
The move by GM to drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its EVs is part of an overall strategy aimed at controlling the in-vehicle experience. The company believes its Ultifi platform provides a better-integrated, more seamless experience for drivers and allows for higher integration with the GM ecosystem. The decision has been unpopular as consumers view CarPlay and Android Auto as desirable features in a new vehicle.
The only and exclusive authorized dealer to put White Automotive’s kits on a vehicle, LaFontaine Chevrolet in Michigan, was told by GM to halt offering these installations. Without a distribution channel, White Automotive could not help but terminate the project. This development leaves customers who already have the kits installed with an issue regarding support in the future, as the operation can be affected by future GM software updates.
GM’s action goes against its intention to employ its EVs as platforms for data gathering and digital services. GM is attempting to create a proprietary experience by prohibiting the utilization of third-party interfaces such as CarPlay and Android Auto to sell more software and services on its own platform. But in the process, it has alienated consumers who are happy with the existing smartphone integration ecosystems.
