Volvo Reaffirms Commitment to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Volvo has affirmed its commitment to offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles, including electric models. This announcement comes from Anders Bell, Volvo’s chief engineering and technology officer, who stated in an interview that the company will "absolutely" continue supporting these platforms.

The company will "absolutely" continue supporting these platforms.

Volvo's Digital Integration Philosophy

Bell emphasized Volvo's philosophy of integrating with customers' digital lives rather than forcing them into a specific ecosystem. He noted that while Volvo aims to provide a superior native infotainment experience, it also seeks to achieve "supremely good integration" for third-party systems like CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing customers to choose.

Bell also acknowledged the historical role of CarPlay, stating that it emerged partly due to the suboptimal infotainment systems prevalent in cars at the time.

CarPlay Ultra: Plans Remain Uncertain

Regarding the next-generation CarPlay Ultra, Volvo's plans remain uncertain. Apple had previously named Volvo as an initial partner for CarPlay Ultra, but reports from the Financial Times last year indicated that Volvo had decided against supporting the platform.

Contrasting Industry Approaches

Volvo's stance contrasts with General Motors, which has opted to remove CarPlay from its vehicles. Conversely, Ford's CFO Sherry House recently reiterated that automaker's commitment to CarPlay.

Native Integrations: Beyond CarPlay

In related news, Volvo recently introduced its new EX60 SUV, which will feature a native Apple Music application, including support for Spatial Audio.