GM Plans to Remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

General Motos is dropping Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its future gas-powered vehicles. CEO Mary Barra confirmed the plans on a recent episode of The Verge's Decoder podcast.

The automaker already removed smartphone projection from most of its electric vehicle lineup. Now it's coming for the rest.

Nearly 9 in 10 shoppers value smartphone integration according to Cars.com data. Of those, 46% say it's a must-have feature. GM is removing it anyway.

Why GM Says They're Doing This

Barra said feedback from customers is that switching between the car's native infotainment system and smartphone projection is clunky and distracting. GM wants to offer a great in-vehicle infotainment system with services that make life better.

Chief Product Officer Sterling Anderson said smartphone projection had advantages over native systems in the past, but in-vehicle systems now offer a more immersive experience. He added that even though it may be uncomfortable for people to make this change, it's time to embrace it.

What GM Said to Cars.com

A GM spokesperson told Cars.com that existing vehicles won't change. If your car supports CarPlay or Android Auto now, it will continue to work. Both will remain available in all GM gas-powered vehicles for the foreseeable future.

As GM moves toward its centralized computing platform, it'll gradually shift to "a better, more deeply integrated experience." This will happen over time, not overnight. The company values its collaboration with Apple and Google and remains focused on delivering experiences customers love.

What Consumers Want

According to Cars.com shopper survey data, 46% consider smartphone integration a must-have feature. Another 43% say it's nice to have. That's 89% of shoppers who think it's valuable.

Among Gen Z and Millennial shoppers, smartphone integration ranks as the No. 3 and No. 2 most desired feature respectively. Those are key demographics for automakers.

Over the last 30 days, Apple CarPlay was the No. 3 most specified feature among shoppers searching for a car on Cars.com.

What This is Really About

GM wants recurring revenue through in-vehicle subscriptions. Eliminating smartphone projection means customers will have to sign up for data subscriptions after trial periods end to keep using apps in the infotainment system.

It goes beyond infotainment too. GM's Super Cruise semi-autonomous hands-free driving system requires a subscription after an initial trial period.

Forcing customers to log into the Google Built-In infotainment system and sign up for subscriptions gives GM better data on what customers are doing in their vehicles. That lets the company target them with other offers and services they might pay for. More subscription revenue.

Will This Backfire?

It seems premature to remove features that are still highly valued by shoppers. GM's current Google-based infotainment technology works well and includes familiar apps like Google Maps. But it's not hard to imagine a shopper weighing two similar vehicles choosing the non-GM one based on CarPlay availability alone. It's still that important to a lot of people.

Picture this scenario. Someone's looking at a GM SUV and a Ford SUV. Similar price, similar features. GM doesn't have CarPlay. Ford does. Easy choice for the 89% of shoppers who value smartphone integration.

GM is betting customers will choose their vehicles anyway and just deal with the lack of CarPlay. That's a gamble when competitors are keeping the feature.

The Subscription Revenue Play

Car companies are desperate to find recurring revenue streams. Selling a car once isn't enough anymore. They want monthly subscriptions for features that used to be included.

BMW tried charging a subscription for heated seats. They got roasted for it and backed off. Toyota charges for remote start via app in some markets. Customers hate it.

Now GM wants to force people into data subscriptions by removing the ability to use their phone's apps through CarPlay. Instead, you'll use GM's apps. With GM's data plan. That you pay for monthly.

The initial trial period will work fine. Then it expires and you're stuck paying or losing functionality.

What About Existing Vehicles?

GM says if your current vehicle has CarPlay or Android Auto, it will continue to work. They're not taking it away from cars that have already been sold.

But new vehicles rolling out as GM transitions to its centralized computing platform won't have it. The exact timeline is vague. "Foreseeable future" for existing gas models could mean anything.

Electric vehicles are already losing CarPlay. Gas vehicles are next. Eventually the whole lineup won't have it.

Competitors Aren't Following

Most other automakers are keeping CarPlay and Android Auto. They recognize how important these features are to consumers.

GM is going against what the market wants. They're betting that their in-house infotainment system and subscription services will be compelling enough that customers won't care about losing CarPlay.

That's optimistic considering how many shoppers say smartphone integration is a must-have feature.

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