‘Don’t try to infiltrate our systems’
A number of car manufacturers are already on board for the new and extensive Apple Carplay Ultra, but at least as many car manufacturers appear to have no interest in this ‘hostile takeover’.
In May, Apple proudly presented Carplay Ultra, a new and very extensive version of Carplay. The idea is that not only the infotainment screen, but also the information screen behind the steering wheel is ‘taken over’ by the Apple system. This can then not only display navigation, music and other apps on both screens, but, through far-reaching integration with car systems, also display and operate all kinds of car functions. This would make it virtually unnecessary to switch between Carplay and the car’s built-in infotainment system itself, good news for Apple and possibly the user.
But the third player in this story, the car manufacturer, does not always appear to be waiting for that far-reaching Apple interference. According to the Financial Times and Carscoops, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Polestar and Renault, among others, have no interest in the system, precisely because it goes so far in the ‘takeover’ of the digital environment. “Don’t try to infiltrate our own systems,” someone from Renault is said to have told Apple.
The fact that these brands are not so keen on Carplay Ultra is not surprising. The German premium brands have invested a lot of money and effort in developing extensive and attractive systems that fit in well with the style of the brand, and also want to make money themselves from the sale of apps and extra functions. Volvo, Polestar and Renault have ‘surrendered’ to Google, which provides the brands with an excellent and extensive infotainment system with app store via Android Automotive. For a smaller brand like Aston Martin, which acts as a ‘launch customer’ for Apple Carplay Ultra, this extensive telephone connection makes much more sense. Whether enough ‘mainstream’ car brands will follow remains to be seen. According to Apple, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are working on it.