General Motors (GM) will integrate Apple Music natively into select 2025 and 2026 vehicles, but continues to withhold support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on many of its electric vehicle (EV) models. This move is part of a broader strategy to add more in-car apps, compensating for the absence of phone mirroring capabilities.
Зміст
The Push for Native Apps
GM is deliberately adding native apps such as Apple Music to its infotainment systems in order to appease customers who want seamless access to streaming services without using phone mirroring. The automaker has committed to rolling out the app across its entire fleet over the coming years, beginning with Cadillac and Chevy models.
Why CarPlay Remains Blocked
The exclusion of CarPlay and Android Auto is a deliberate choice by GM. The company wants greater control over the in-car experience and the potential for recurring revenue. While Apple Music will be free for eight years through GM’s OnStar Basics package, drivers will eventually be required to pay for access. This contrasts with CarPlay/Android Auto, which drivers can use for free through their phones.
Which Vehicles Get Apple Music First?
Apple Music is available now in the 2025 and 2026 Cadillac CT5, Escalade IQ, and Vistiq. The 2025 and 2026 Chevy Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Silverado EV, Corvette, Suburban, and Tahoe also support the app. The 2027 Chevy Bolt will receive the integration at launch, with Buick and GMC models to follow at an unspecified later date.
The Bigger Picture
GM’s decision underscores a growing trend of automakers prioritizing native app ecosystems over third-party integrations. By locking customers into their own services, companies can generate long-term revenue streams and control the in-car experience. This move is likely to frustrate consumers who prefer the simplicity and compatibility of CarPlay/Android Auto, but it represents a calculated business decision for GM.
In essence, GM is betting that convenience and the promise of additional features will outweigh the loss of phone mirroring, while simultaneously securing a future revenue stream from subscription services.
