GM blocks dealership from installing Apple CarPlay retrofit kits in EVs
GM is shutting down a dealership service that offered the installation of a third-party Apple CarPlay upgrade kit for its EVs, citing concerns that the product “could affect critical safety features” in its vehicles, The Drive reports.
A spokesperson from GM told The Drive that “Aftermarket services that introduce features not originally designed, thoroughly tested, and approved by GM may cause unintended issues for customers. These issues could affect critical safety features and may also void portions of the vehicle’s warranty.”
Back in 2023, people were not happy with the decision by GM to remove smartphone mirroring features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, from its EVs. (It has kept the mirroring functions in its gas-powered vehicles.) At the time, GM’s VP of software, Scott Miller, said it allowed EV-centric features to work better, such as battery preconditioning when navigating to a destination.
After GM’s decision, an enterprising company called White Automotive and Media Services (WAMS) developed and offered a kit in late 2024. The kit restored phone mirroring features back into Chevy and GMC EVs with “OEM like integration.” However, due to the complexity of the kit, WAMS only offered it for professional installation at just one dealership: LaFontaine Chevrolet in Plymouth, Michigan.
Now, speaking to The Drive, the dealership says GM has instructed them to stop offering the WAMS kit. WAMS seems to be in limbo: the product is listed as “discontinued” on its website, as spotted by GM Authority earlier this week. The website offers an explanation:
To Our Valued Customers:
We have made the difficult decision to discontinue this product. Rather than removing it from our website entirely, we wanted to leave this notice so customers are aware of its discontinuation.
This was not a decision we made lightly, but due to a variety of factors, continuing to offer this product is no longer viable in the long term.
We sincerely appreciate your interest, enthusiasm, and support, and we hope you understand our position. Thank you for being a part of our community.
GM hasn’t said whether it will somehow disable the already installed kits.