Overview

• CarPlay Ultra launched in May on new and retrofitted Aston Martin models in the U.S. and Canada as Apple’s first real-world deployment.
• Apple has not provided a public timetable for other brands despite announcing Hyundai, Kia and Genesis as partners in May.
• Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar and Renault all dropped plans to support the next-generation interface after initially signing on.
• Early testers praised the full-screen integration of climate controls, drive modes and reduced latency but noted occasional glitches tied to car software.
• Many automakers are reluctant to embrace CarPlay Ultra broadly to protect their proprietary infotainment ecosystems and in-car revenue streams.