It’s been several months since Apple launched its next-gen auto standard CarPlay Ultra, but the updated version of the company’s control platform has still not arrived in Ford vehicles. In a recent interview on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Ford CEO Jim Farley spoke on Apple’s latest technology, and where the two partnered companies currently stand.
Why the auto industry is moving away from Android Auto and Apple Carplay
Apple unveiled CarPlay Ultra as a more fully integrated version of its CarPlay software. First announced to come stock in new Aston Martin vehicles, with older versions of CarPlay able to upgrade to Ultra via an update, the next-gen software is able to populate all of a car’s digital screens, not just the center display, to relay information to the driver.
“It provides information for all of the driver’s screens, including real-time content and gauges in the instrument cluster, while reflecting the automaker’s look and feel and offering drivers a customizable experience,” Apple says of CarPlay Ultra.
Ford, however, is not completely sold on the current version.
When asked if Ford, a historically strong ally of Apple, is considering integrating CarPlay Ultra in its vehicles, Farley was careful to choose his words.
“We are,” said Farley. “We don’t like the execution in round 1 of Ultra, but we’re very committed to Apple. I’ve talked to Tim [Cook, CEO of Apple] many times about this.”
Expanding on his answer, Farley affirms that Ford believes that drivers should be free to choose their preferred driving experience, and not be restricted to one platform. He goes on to detail technology that Ford itself can add to the experience, whether drivers wish to use CarPlay, Android Auto, or any other platform.
When pressed on the issue, Farley decides to keep his answer vague, leaving the future of CarPlay Ultra in Ford vehicles up in the air:
Stern: “But it seems like with the Ford digital experience, which you have rolled out to some cars, it’s based on Android Automotive, that you’re going to have to choose. Are you going to do this Android Automotive experience with the things you’re talking about building on top of? Or are you going to pick a CarPlay Ultra experience, which is really going all in on Apple?”
Farley: “I see what you mean. Yeah, it’s a really good question. I don’t know where Apple’s going to go. I think Apple has to make a big decision. It’s not a Ford decision, actually. And then based on their decision, we will decide.”
For the complete interview, head over to The Verge’s Decoder podcast.
