Toyota UK Spills the Beans on Apple CarPlay Plans

By Jane McEntegart
published

Looks like Toyota users can expect a CarPlay option in 2015.

Earlier this month, Apple announced CarPlay, a version of iOS for dashboard infotainment systems in cars. The announcement was made in time for the Geneva Motor Show, and Apple confirmed that Mercedes, Volvo, and Ferrari would be showing off CarPlay dashes at the show. However, Toyota was also named as a future CarPlay partner, and it looks like the company was excited to talk about its own CarPlay plans.

Toyota UK today blogged about CarPlay, mentioning that it would be available in Toyota cars starting in 2015. This was news, considering neither Toyota nor Apple had talked about the availability of CarPlay in Toyota vehicles before. However, given Toyota was not one of the companies that Apple mentioned when it talked about CarPlay being available in cars shipping in 2014, it's not exactly a surprise either. Toyota UK has since removed the mention of 2015, stating:

"A previous version of this article said Apple CarPlay would be in Toyota cars from 2015. This is incorrect and we are happy to put the matter straight. No announcements have been made about if and when Apple CarPlay will arrive in Toyota cars."

Not strictly true, since Apple highlighted Toyota Motor Group as one of the 'additional auto manufacturers bringing CarPlay to their drivers down the road.' Still, Toyota UK probably wasn't supposed to share the 'when' more than the 'if.'

FYI, other auto manufacturers named by Apple are:

  • BMW Group
  • Ford
  • General Motors
  • Honda
  • Hyundai Motor Company
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Kia Motors
  • Mitsubishi Motors
  • Nissan Motor Company
  • PSA Peugeot Citroën
  • Subaru
  • Suzuki

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Jane McEntegart
8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jimmysmitty
    I don't see why Ford is on that list since they have Sync which works with all phones and not just one.Might just be Apple trying to raise the stock price.
    Reply
  • bak0n
    Ford already stated they are switching from Sync which has plagued their cars with bad quality marks, to using a blackberry QNX based system.
    Reply
  • bender3000
    Does this mean we will have to start camping out over night at dealerships when new model years are released? ;)
    Reply
  • the1kingbob
    I want to know if this is going to be a standard option or a upgrade feature. I don't see why you would put a system in standard when it works with only few phones (although I have seen some places say this AirPlay will/can/could work with android). There have also been articles talking about some of these companies working to bring android interfaces, but no announcement this substantial.
    Reply
  • hang-the-9
    What a great move by Apple, it's odd that MS or Google have not gone after the car market more as OEM vendors.
    Reply
  • jn77
    Why do I want apple integrated into my car? what happens when the apple gets a worm and starts rotting?
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    12879532 said:
    Ford already stated they are switching from Sync which has plagued their cars with bad quality marks, to using a blackberry QNX based system.

    Must not be for a few years then as my wifes 2013 Taurus has it as do all of the 2014 Ford models down at our dealership.

    And so far Sync has been fine. We had a few minor issues but a update fixed them. Of course with every in car system there will be issues to be tweaked.
    Reply
  • godnodog
    I sure hope this will be optional, otherwise I can take these models or even brand out of my "Possible Cars to Buy"
    Reply