Overview

• Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo Cars, Polestar, and Renault have publicly abandoned earlier commitments to integrate CarPlay Ultra in their vehicles.
• Aston Martin remains the only production automaker offering CarPlay Ultra, while Porsche and Korean brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis plan future adoption.
• CarPlay Ultra extends the iPhone interface across instrument clusters and infotainment screens, integrating real-time vehicle data for speedometers, climate controls, and other functions.
• Automakers are investing in proprietary infotainment systems to maintain dashboard control and monetize in-car services rather than cede that role to Apple.
• Apple asserts that CarPlay Ultra does not require additional vehicle data sharing beyond standard CarPlay, which is installed in 98 percent of new U.S. cars and used over 600 million times daily.