Honda And Acura EVs Built By GM Will Retain Apple CarPlay And Android Auto

May. 06, 2023 6:18 PM ET by Jarryd Neves Technology / 5 Comments

Even though GM is abandoning both in favor of a new system developed in-house.

In a surprising move, General Motors announced that it would move away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, replacing both with a system co-developed by the automaker and Google. These features have become a must-have for most new car owners, but GM is convinced buyers will benefit from the move. But how will this move affect GM-built EVs like the upcoming Honda Prologue?

According to the Japanese manufacturer, GM's decision won't impact the Prologue or the Acura ZDX - both models will continue to employ Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A company spokesperson told The Drive that Honda/Acura owners still prefer the traditional in-car apps. "Our customers find value in our support of CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google built-in, and we now offer these connected solutions across our lineup."

"We will continue to offer a range of high quality, interactive solutions to provide value to our customers that match their own technology choices," they added.

Honda

Both the Prologue and ZDX will use the Ultium platform and battery technology. These models are closely related to the new Chevrolet Blazer EV, GM's first car to ship without Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. All three models are expected to sail down the same production line and share plenty of componentry.

So it's safe to assume General Motors can still fall back on the popular screen-mirroring apps if its Google-developed system fails to impress consumers. Perhaps GM's new system will become hugely successful, but consumer backlash suggests that people don't want to move on from what they're used to.

GM spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato defended the move in April, stating, "We're confident customers will see the capabilities, ease of use, and benefits of this integrated system, as they become more familiar with it."

General Motors plans to impress customers with features like voice commands, real-time navigation, and an array of apps in the Google Play store.

Acura

The automaker says the new system will benefit EV drivers, emphasizing making charging and battery preservation far easier. Of course, it will also let the manufacturer gather driving and charging data, which can be used to improve the driving experience in the future.

Cusinato added that GM is "guided by [the] desire to make the EV customer experience a differentiator in the future and the goal of building on, not stepping back, the benefits [of] Apple CarPlay and Android Auto." The company also noted that the 2024 Blazer EV will be available with free Google Maps and Google Assist for eight years.

Whether it all works out for GM remains to be seen, but the American giant isn't the only one in this position. Recently, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe also defended why the company decided not to include Apple CarPlay in itsvehicles.