As corporations like GM and Rivian face backlash for failing to undertake Apple’s CarPlay platform, Ford is doing the precise reverse. In a press release to 9to5Mac, Ford defined its reasoning for supporting CarPlay…and it has us pondering the way forward for Ford’s relationship with Apple and next-gen CarPlay.
Ford is utilizing its dedication to CarPlay as a promoting level over different EVs from the likes of GM, Tesla, and Rivian. Within the final two weeks, GM revealed that it’s going to now not assist CarPlay in its EVs, beginning with 2024 model-year automobiles, whereas Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe doubled down on his firm’s resistance to CarPlay.
GM’s resolution and Scaringe’s feedback have confronted widespread backlash from CarPlay followers. Tesla, in fact, additionally continues to be a CarPlay holdout, and there’s no indication that it’s going to ever change.
In a press release to 9to5Mac on Thursday, Ford made it clear that it has no plans to desert CarPlay, not like a few of its counterparts.
“We proceed to supply Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as a result of prospects love the potential that permits quick access and management of their smartphone apps – particularly our EV prospects as a result of some EVs presently don’t supply the options,” a spokesperson mentioned.
9to5Mac’s Take
This next-gen CarPlay mockup from Apple certain seems like the inside of a Mustang Mach-E.
This offers an organization like Ford a giant opening to go all-in on CarPlay. The corporate has been a staunch supporter of each CarPlay and Android Auto for years. It additionally only in the near past rolled out a firmware replace to a number of of its vehicles, together with the Mustang Mach-E, that additional improves the CarPlay expertise and permits Apple’s interface to overhaul extra of the automotive’s infotainment display.
If anybody is able to totally embrace CarPlay, it’s Ford. In any case, former Apple exec Doug Discipline – who headed up the Apple Automotive “Challenge Titan” group for a number of years – now works at Ford as a VP of “EVs and digital programs.” Ford can also be on Apple’s checklist of carmakers dedicated to supporting its next-gen CarPlay platform.
Polestar is one other firm on Apple’s next-gen CarPlay checklist. Curiously, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath paid a go to to Apple Park final week, as noticed by customers on Reddit (thanks, Haydio!). There’s no phrase on what Ingenlath was as much as at Apple Park, but it surely’s in all probability secure to imagine it was one thing associated to CarPlay.
Apple has mentioned that the primary vehicles with next-gen CarPlay assist might be introduced this yr, in time for the 2024 mannequin yr automobiles to start out coming off the meeting line. Will Ford or Polestar take the lead and be among the many first supporters of the brand new CarPlay expertise? It’d certain make a number of sense…however we’ll have to attend for an official announcement from Ford and/or Apple to know for certain.
No matter what occurs with next-gen CarPlay, it’s promising to see corporations like Ford be vocal of their dedication to the platform. The corporate is making a few of the greatest and hottest EVs available on the market and has publicly promised to proceed investing in its EV enterprise.
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