Apple's CarPlay Ultra faces pushback as Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and Renault opt out

In context: As the automotive industry shifts toward electric and autonomous vehicles, the battle for control of the dashboard – and the valuable data it generates – is heating up, with Apple making significant investments in the space. However, pushback from automakers suggests that the road to a fully Apple-powered cockpit will be slower and more contested than the company once envisioned.

Apple's push to expand its footprint inside car dashboards is facing mounting resistance from some of the world's top automakers, as the company's new CarPlay Ultra system navigates an uncertain road ahead. Three years after Apple first previewed its vision of CarPlay extending across every major screen in a vehicle, several major car brands are now distancing themselves from the initiative.

Officially launched in May 2025, CarPlay Ultra marks Apple's most ambitious attempt yet to embed its iPhone ecosystem into car interiors. Unlike classic CarPlay, which ...