Apple’s next-generation in-car software, CarPlay Ultra, has started rolling out, but the expansion story already looks uneven as several automakers delay, rethink, or quietly step away while a few still signal cautious interest.
Apple introduced CarPlay Ultra as a deeper integration system that controls multiple screens inside a car, but so far, only Aston Martin has shipped it to customers in the United States and Canada, leaving the broader rollout unclear.
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Automakers are still attached to CarPlay Ultra
Apple originally named a long list of partners, and as of now, these brands still plan to support the platform:
- Acura
- Aston Martin
- Ford
- Genesis
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Kia
- Land Rover
- Lincoln
- Nissan
- Porsche
At the same time, brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Polestar, and Renault have stepped back despite early involvement, which shows the industry is not fully aligned on Apple’s vision.
Hyundai and affordability angle
Hyundai has become the most interesting test case because it brings CarPlay Ultra closer to mainstream buyers rather than luxury-only vehicles.
Reports suggest the upcoming IONIQ 3 could support the system, and that matters because the car is expected to cost far less than an Aston Martin, which pushes the platform into a more realistic price range for regular users, even though Hyundai has not confirmed this support yet.
Ford’s cautious tone
Jim Farley gave the clearest insight into how automakers feel about the first version of CarPlay Ultra.
“We are. We don’t like the execution in round 1 of Ultra, but we’re very committed to Apple. I’ve talked to Tim many times about this.”
Farley’s comment shows interest but also hesitation, and his phrase “don’t like the execution” reflects concerns about how deeply Apple controls the in-car experience.
He also mentioned discussions with Tim Cook, which signals ongoing talks rather than a firm commitment.
Apple still has momentum, but the rollout depends on automakers agreeing to give Apple more control over dashboards and data, and that remains a sticking point.
Right now, CarPlay Ultra feels less like a standard feature and more like an experiment that only a few brands are ready to ship at scale.
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