The CEO of Rivian reaffirms that the company has no plans to incorporate Apple CarPlay into its electric vehicles. Drivers cannot simply connect their iPhones to R2, R3, or other models and enjoy seamless access to services like Apple Music and Maps, a luxury enjoyed by many other vehicle owners?
CEO R.J. According to Scaringe, the decision revolved around preserving control over consumer insights; meanwhile, cash has played a significant role in similar choices.
Apple CarPlay? Not on our watches.
Let’s enable seamless integration between an iPhone and a suitably equipped automobile radio or in-vehicle infotainment system. It’s mainly utilized for streaming music and navigating maps, with a stylish appeal to boot. Apple says . Rivian is unlikely to produce any of these vehicles. The company’s CEO reiterated this stance in a recent interview published on Monday by.
“While I appreciate Apple’s products, there’s a reason that aligns surprisingly well with their values for us to…”
As Scaringe notes, drivers using CarPlay may inadvertently switch between in-car entertainment and basic functions – such as opening the electric vehicle’s front trunk – requiring a manual disconnection or alteration of settings.
A cash seize?
The manager revealed plans to integrate CarPlay’s premium features into Rivian’s systems, with the option to access them à la carte – a likely euphemism for “additional fee” – echoing a similar approach taken by EV pioneer Tesla. Tesla’s refusal to support CarPlay or Apple Music is notable; previously, the company restricted access to these features exclusively for those paying the $9.99 monthly premium for its connectivity package.
While Rivian and Tesla may lament the affordability of their vehicles, they shouldn’t grumble about the cost of using CarPlay – Apple charges neither manufacturers nor users for this feature.
Despite this, General Motors has opted out of supporting CarPlay on its electric vehicles since 2023, joining a chorus of smaller EV manufacturers in their reluctance to integrate the technology into their cars. , although.
