In a surprising development, Tesla is allegedly working to incorporate Apple CarPlay into its automobiles, a decision that many Tesla users have eagerly anticipated. This transition represents a notable shift in Tesla’s strategy, as the company has traditionally resisted adding CarPlay, opting instead to enhance its own infotainment system. Tesla’s hesitance stemmed in part from its inclination to replicate Apple’s method of managing the user experience. Nevertheless, with 83% of drivers utilizing CarPlay or Android Auto in their main vehicles, Tesla’s disregard for these platforms has been an exception in the industry.
The choice to adopt CarPlay is motivated by Tesla’s goal to increase sales, which have fallen short of projections in 2025. Although Tesla has experienced remarkable sales growth over the last five years, the company now views CarPlay as a possible driver for additional sales gains. Notably, Tesla intends to deploy a simplified version of CarPlay that will operate as a display window within its larger interface, rather than dominating the entire touchscreen as seen in other cars.
On the other hand, General Motors (GM) is reinforcing its anti-CarPlay strategy, opting to eliminate CarPlay from its electric vehicles. GM asserts that it can deliver a superior user experience through its own infotainment system, which it claims provides a more engaging environment. However, this choice may impact vehicle sales, as GM seeks to manage user data to develop subscription-based services. Only time will reveal if GM’s strategy will yield success, but Tesla’s recent shift indicates that CarPlay’s popularity is hard to overlook.
