Audi and Mercedes-Benz Ditch Apple CarPlay Ultra Platform

Audi and Mercedes-Benz won’t install Apple’s new CarPlay Ultra in-car platform, which was unveiled in May, despite Apple previously listing them as future partners.

CarPlay Ultra was supposed to offer deep integration with the car, displaying data not only on the central display but also on the dashboard, while maintaining the brand style of the car manufacturer. However, in the end, the only brands that confirmed support for CarPlay Ultra were Aston Martin and Porsche. According to the Financial Times, most car companies changed their minds due to concerns about profits from digital services. Many of them see the future in subscription services in the car – from paid navigation functions to audio and additional assistants. Apple’s integration into this market is perceived as a threat to their potential sources of income. Renault even told Apple: “Don’t try to take over our systems.”

However, many automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, will continue to offer standard Apple CarPlay in their cars to meet demand from users. Apple says CarPlay Ultra will appeal to customers, and automakers will eventually respond to consumer interest, The Financial Times notes.