Multiple big carmakers are turning down Apple CarPlay Ultra, only one has accepted it
Published on Jun 26, 2025 at 4:09 AM (UTC-4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jun 26, 2025 at 9:49 AM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Apple has unveiled its new Apple CarPlay Ultra, but big automakers are turning it down, in fact only one car maker is using it.
Apart from Aston Martin, a lot of car brands simply said ‘thanks, but no thanks’.
The reason is understandable.
And some people may have already guessed it.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Only Aston Martin said yes to Apple CarPlay Ultra
A couple of months ago, Apple unveiled its new CarPlay Ultra in partnership with Aston Martin.
Some time later, Aston Martin is still the only automaker using it.
Hyundai, Kia and Genesis originally announced they’d be adopting CarPlay Ultra, but that hasn’t happened yet.
By contrast, Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, Polestar and BMW already made it clear they would keep using ‘regular’ CarPlay, but not the Ultra version.
The reason is very Apple-esque.
With CarPlay Ultra, Apple took its ‘my way or the highway’ approach to the next level, and big automakers don’t want to lose control of their infotainment systems.
This is because Apple CarPlay Ultra takes full control of all systems and screens in the car.
It sounds like the sort of situation where somebody needs to take a step back in order for Ultra to have a future.
Either Apple will need to loosen up a little and make CarPlay Ultra less invasive, or big automakers will need to cave and adopt the new system as is.
This is Apple’s MO (and it’s working out so far)
When Apple unveiled the iPhone in 2007, it began a revolution that’s still ongoing.
Not only was it the first mainstream touchscreen smartphone, it also pioneered a few features that everyone criticized but then everyone adopted.
Apple’s unibody candy bar design indirectly prompted other manufacturers to gradually move away from their user-replaceable battery design.
Even though the American tech company has since softened its stance when it comes to right-to-repair rules, Apple’s approach changed the industry.
For starters, it is now almost impossible to find a high-end or even a mid-tier smartphone with a user-replaceable battery.
After that, Apple also removed the audio jack, which everyone criticized but then copied, and it pioneered an OS that keeps everything native and in-house, which everyone criticized but then copied.
Although, to be fair, Apple recently took a leaf out of Android’s book to make its system a bit more open than before.
So, going back to CarPlay Ultra, it feels like the American tech giant and automakers will have to meet in the middle.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
