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Will Drivers Switch Brands If Apple CarPlay Disappears?

AT Staff
By: 

AT Staff

 / Dec 2 2025
Will Drivers Switch Brands If Apple CarPlay Disappears?

Infotainment systems have become must-have features for many drivers, particularly those who rely on technology to stay connected while on the road. With some automakers exploring their own infotainment systems, and GM already moving away from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, shoppers are paying closer attention to what their next vehicle will support.

To understand just how much this shift could influence buying decisions, we surveyed 1,003 car owners about how they feel about losing their favorite in-car tech. The results reveal just how strongly drivers value seamless smartphone integration.

 

Key Takeaways

  • 39% of car owners say a lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a deal-breaker when buying a vehicle, with CarPlay users (55%) being more likely than Android Auto ones (36%) to say so.
  • Tesla (62%) and BMW drivers (59%) show the most trust in automakers' ability to match CarPlay or Android Auto features with their own systems.
  • 44% of car owners say they'd be less likely to buy from a brand that removes CarPlay or Android Auto. CarPlay users (60%) were more likely than Android Auto users (40%) to say so.
  • 37% of car owners say they'd be less likely to buy a GM vehicle because it's phasing out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
  • Among GM owners, CarPlay users (48%) are more likely than Android Auto users (33%) to say they'd switch brands if GM were to drop CarPlay and Android Auto.
Contents

How Much Car Buyers Rely on CarPlay and Android Auto

Many drivers treat CarPlay and Android Auto as essential tools for navigation, music, and hands-free communication. As automakers weigh whether to keep or replace these systems, drivers are making it clear how strongly they feel about losing them.

A graphic showing that 39% of car owners say lacking CarPlay or Android Auto is a dealbreaker, with a chart comparing 55% of CarPlay users and 36% of Android Auto users.

  • 44% of car owners say they'd be less likely to buy from a brand that removes Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Apple CarPlay users (60%) were more likely than Android Auto users (40%) to say so.
  • 39% of car owners say a lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a deal-breaker when buying a vehicle, with CarPlay users (55%) being more likely than Android Auto ones (36%) to say so.
  • Percentage of brand owners saying a lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is a deal-breaker:
    1. Audi – 71%
    2. BMW – 63%
    3. Mazda – 58%
    4. Lexus – 53%
    5. Buick – 50%
    6. Hyundai – 43%
    7. Chevrolet (GM) – 42%
    8. Subaru – 41%
    9. Kia – 40%
    10. Honda – 38%
    11. Volkswagen – 38%
    12. Nissan – 37%
    13. Toyota – 36%
    14. Chrysler – 36%
    15. Ford – 34%
    16. Jeep – 34%
    17. Mercedes-Benz – 33%
    18. GMC – 23%
    19. Tesla – 15%
    20. Dodge – 11%
  • Android Auto users are more trusting than Apple CarPlay users: 34% of Android Auto drivers trust automakers to match Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, compared to 29% of Apple CarPlay users.
  • Tesla and BMW drivers show the strongest confidence in automakers' in-house systems, with 62% of Tesla owners and 59% of BMW owners saying they trust automakers to build systems as good as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

 

Would Drivers Still Buy GM Without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?

GM's plan to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by 2028 has sparked mixed reactions among car owners. Drivers are weighing whether they would trust GM's new infotainment system enough to remain loyal to the brand.

A graphic showing that 37% of car owners are less likely to buy a GM vehicle due to dropping CarPlay and Android Auto, with a donut chart of GM owners showing 35% would switch brands, 40% would not, and 25% are unsure.

  • 37% of car owners say they'd be less likely to buy a GM vehicle because it's phasing out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
  • Among GM owners, CarPlay users (48%) are more likely than Android Auto users (33%) to say they'd switch brands if GM were to drop CarPlay and Android Auto.

 

Methodology

We surveyed 1,003 car owners to explore how important in-car technology is to consumers when purchasing a vehicle. Among the respondents, 50% used Apple CarPlay, 30% used Android Auto, and 20% were unsure. Data was collected in November 2025.

 

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