Hyundai, riding high on record-breaking November sales in the U.S., fueled by its electric and hybrid offerings, continues to demonstrate a commitment to offering drivers a wide range of options. A prime example of this flexibility is the company’s decision to maintain support for CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles.
In a recent interview with InsideEVs, Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product planning at Hyundai, confirmed the company’s ongoing support for these popular phone-mirroring apps. This decision contrasts sharply with General Motors’ 2023 move to phase out CarPlay and Android Auto, a move that generated significant consumer backlash. Studies by McKinsey have shown that the absence of these apps can be a deal-breaker for almost half of new car buyers.
Hyundai’s approach mirrors its strategy in the EV charging space. Boyle compared the situation to EV charging, emphasizing the importance of providing drivers with a comprehensive set of choices. While Hyundai vehicles already support charging via the standard combined charging system (CCS) ports, the company also incorporated Tesla’s NACS charging ports in its new Ioniq 5, granting drivers access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network in North America.
This commitment to choice stands in contrast to companies like Tesla and Rivian, which have never offered CarPlay or Android Auto, opting instead to develop proprietary software and electrical systems.
While Boyle acknowledges the possibility of future alternatives to CarPlay and Android Auto within the auto industry, Hyundai remains focused on providing a comprehensive and flexible experience for its customers in the present. This strategy appears to be resonating with consumers, contributing to the company’s recent sales success.
For now, Hyundai’s commitment to customer choice by continuing to offer CarPlay and Android Auto alongside other options reinforces its adaptive approach to the evolving automotive landscape. This strategy allows them to cater to a wider range of driver preferences and potentially contributes to their continued market success.
