Automakers Shift Stance on Apple CarPlay Ultra, Report Reveals

• Five automakers have backed out from their initial plans to offer Apple's new CarPlay Ultra software in their vehicles, per a report from the Financial Times .
• The automakers reportedly changing their plans are Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault.
• CarPlay Ultra sees Apple's software take over the central touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, and other integral functions such as the climate-control system.

UPDATE 6/26/25, 6:10 p.m.: This story has been updated with statements from Audi and Polestar.

Apple fanatics love talking about the company's ecosystem, how well their iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and MacBook sync together for a seamless experience. This extends to driving via CarPlay, and Apple revealed an expansion of the system earlier this year called CarPlay Ultra, where Apple's crisp user interface takes over the main touchscreen, the digital gauge cluster, and key functions such as the climate controls. But now it seems that CarPlay Ultra, initially expected to roll out across a plethora of brands, is facing some backlash from automakers.

According to a report from the Financial Times , several automakers said that they have no plans to introduce CarPlay Ultra to their vehicles. The companies listed are Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault. These brands had all initially stated their intent to implement CarPlay Ultra but have since reportedly backed out.

We reached out to the automakers for comment, with Mercedes responding with a vague statement that didn't confirm or deny its participation in CarPlay Ultra, but it noted that they "have introduced our advanced Mercedes-Benz Operating System in our all-new CLA" and they are "also committed to enhancing our Apple CarPlay integration into the infotainment domain."

Audi, however, told us: "While we continue to offer traditional CarPlay on our vehicles, we have chosen not to integrate Apple CarPlay Ultra into our current portfolio of cars as we have just introduced our all-new MMI interface in our latest models." Polestar provided the following statement: "Right now we have no news to share about Apple CarPlay Ultra for Polestar vehicles." We have yet to receive a response from Volvo, but will update this story when we hear back.

It seems that some automakers view CarPlay Ultra as a step too far, removing brand identity by redesigning aspects of the infotainment system that have been a differentiating factor for each company. CarPlay Ultra's big move is reskinning the gauge cluster, showing things like the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, tire pressures, and more in Apple's clean, if not slightly cold, design. Unlike before, drivers also won't need to leave CarPlay Ultra to adjust things such as fan speed or temperature in the climate menu or change the radio station.

While automakers are reportedly allowed to customize these designs to fit their brand identity, it's clearly not distinct enough for some. According to the Financial Times report, Renault, which is working on a software system with Google and Qualcomm, told Apple, "Don’t try to invade our own systems." Automakers also see developing their own infotainment system as a way to potentially generate revenue from in-car services. So far, CarPlay Ultra is only available in Aston Martins, although Porsche, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are set to join the party soon.

These brands aren't alone in pushing back against the spread of CarPlay Ultra. General Motors announced in 2023 that it wouldn't implement CarPlay—not Ultra, but just the standard CarPlay that is currently available in nearly all new cars sold in the U.S.—in its EVs. So far, we've seen several new GM models that don't feature the software, including the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV .

Automakers will have to decide if they want to appease the hordes of iPhone users, especially in the U.S., where Apple has a higher market share in the smartphone sphere, with CarPlay Ultra, or stick to their guns and develop their own systems and work to convince customers to abandon the familiarity of CarPlay. This decision could have a huge impact on sales: the Financial Times cites a 2023 survey from consulting firm McKinsey that nearly half of car shoppers won't buy a car without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and that 85 percent of car owners who have Apple CarPlay prefer it to their car's native infotainment system.

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