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Tesla is reportedly set to introduce Apple CarPlay in its electric vehicles, marking a significant shift in strategy for the company. Known for its steadfast commitment to its proprietary infotainment system, Tesla’s decision appears to signal a change in direction.
According to a report from Bloomberg, the Texas-based automaker, led by Elon Musk, is actively working on integrating the popular smartphone mirroring technology into its cars. This development would align Tesla with many other automakers who have long adopted Apple CarPlay as a standard feature.
This potential policy reversal may be driven by a need to boost sales and recover market share, as suggested by sources familiar with the matter. The integration of Apple CarPlay could be a strategic move to attract more consumers who consider this technology a critical factor in their purchasing decisions.
As Tesla faces challenges with declining sales, embracing Apple CarPlay could become a pivotal factor in appealing to a broader audience and maintaining competitiveness in the ever-evolving automotive market.
Tanking sales have finally incentivised the controversial car maker to embrace the technology that is a deal breaker for most car buyers.
And now that Apple has all but bowed out of the EV race and is no longer a rival, Tesla can afford to embrace the Apple-made system, despite Musk being rude about Apple products in the past.
Tesla is reportedly adding Apple CarPlay to its cars after years of refusing. Insider sources have said Tesla is testing the capability of CarPlay internally and a release could come later
According to Bloomberg’s ‘people with knowledge of the matter’ (who asked not to be identified) Tesla has started testing the capability of Apple CarPlay internally.
Tesla has internally discussed rolling out CarPlay in the coming months, but a plan has yet to be finalised. A release could come later, the insiders said.
However, it’s worth taking the news with a pinch of salt as Tesla is known for delaying or killing new features or plans, even if development is already in motion.
This is Money has contacted Tesla for comment.
The sources say that Tesla plans to use CarPlay within a window of its own interface, so CarPlay won’t replace Tesla’s own operating system as it does in many other vehicles.
It also won’t be available if drivers are in full self-driving mode, the car will rely on Tesla’s own navigation, and Tesla is only planning to use the standard version of CarPlay instead of the new Ultra CarPlay used in some luxury vehicles.
Standard doesn’t control instrument clusters, seats and climate functions like Ultra does.
While many cars allow users to enable CarPlay through a USB or USB-C cable as well as through wireless connection, Tesla will only support the wireless option.
Tesla is apparently not developing Android Auto integration at the same time.
The sources say that Tesla plans to use CarPlay within a window of its own interface, so CarPlay won’t replace Tesla’s own operating system as it does in many other vehicles
It would be a U-turn for the EV maker, with CEO Elon Musk insulting Apple products in the past and refusing to give Apple access to Tesla customers
It’s not the first time Tesla boss Elon Musk has hinted at phone mirroring, with the tech billionaire saying that Tesla was working on integrated phone mirroring in the mid-2010s.
However, that never happened and it’s since been around a decade that Tesla has refuse to incorporate CarPlay and allow Apple more access to its customers.
Now though, the iPhone maker is no longer a real competitor in Tesla’s electric car game after cancelling its Titan initiative. Tesla’s own in-house infotainment system is also well-liked for being one of the best user software experiences.
Musk also now relies on Apple as a partner for distributing his X app and Grok AI service.
Tesla is likely hoping CarPlay will entice buyers after sales slumped again last month, with UK sales down 51% year-on-year and some countries in Europe seeing an 89% drop
The potential move comes after Tesla sales dropped nearly 90 per cent in some European markets last month, with sales down significantly across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Spain.
Data research group New AutoMotive found that Tesla sales halved year-on-year in October in the UK, with only 495 registrations in the month.
This is down 51 per cent from 1,013 registrations last year.
With a 2023 survey revealing nearly half of new car buyers globally wouldn’t buy a car without CarPlay or Android Auto, Tesla is likely hoping this will help entice buyers into its EVs and uplift sales.
