Latest buzz surrounding the Chevy Bolt EV

[Dan Keller]

My Bolt is seven years old, so I am starting to consider upgrade to a new one, though my current Bolt looks and runs great. The show stopper for me would be the lack of Apple CarPlay. I don’t want yet another device subscription for the car’s onboard apps. I like the apps on my iPhone and I don’t want to put up with the Google stuff that Chevy picks for me. I would rather decide for myself what apps I have, I’ve heard the same remark from other current owners. I believe the apps are a bigger deal than Chevy thinks they are.

Yeah I bought my Bolt EUV because it still has Android Auto and yeah who wants to pay for service when it's free with my phone service! GM is gonna loose ALOT of customers over greedy have to use their systems..!

 

[BillM]

I hope GM reads this forum. I’ve gotten several surveys from GM and I have stressed the importance of having proper CarPlay and Android Auto each time. GM probably doesn’t care when they smell subscription money.

 

[ClarD]

GM is gonna loose ALOT of customers

To what other car? The manufacturers that haven't left Android Auto behind will.
Tesla, Toyota, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Rivian and new GM cars have skipped Android Auto.

https://built-in.google/cars/

 

[SoCalTim]

Dan Keller, you say Tesla, Toyota, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Rivian and new GM cars have skipped Android Auto. According to Google, Android Auto is available on current models of:

• Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X;
• Toyota: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Prius, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra
• 4Runner, C-HR, Highlander, RAV4, Sequoia, and Venza
• BMW X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, 8 series, Z4, iX, i4, i5, i7.
• Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8.
• Porsche 911, Cayenne, Panamera, Taycan and Macan Electric.
  
  
  
  

 

[ClarD]

According to Google, Android Auto is available on current models of:

They only show starting years, with none discontinued.
By that listing, it should be available in the Blazer and Equinox.

 

[SoCalTim]

They only show starting years, with none discontinued.
By that listing, it should be available in the Blazer and Equinox.

I am googling "What BMWs is Android Auto Available on?" and repeating for each make.
For BMW the answer is:

• BMW X3: 2020-Current.
• BMW X4: 2020-Current.
• BMW X5: 2019-Current.
• BMW X6: 2020-Current.
• BMW X7: 2019-Current.
• BMW 2 Series: 2020-Current.
• BMW 3 Series: 2019-Current.
• BMW 4 Series: 2021-Current.

For GM the response is:
"Android Auto is available on many Chevrolet vehicles, including:

• Camaro: 2016–2022
• Colorado: 2016–2022
• Corvette: 2016–2022
• Equinox: 2018–present
• Malibu: 2016–2022
• Silverado: 2016–2022
• Spark: 2016–2022
• Suburban: 2016–2022
• Tahoe: 2016–2022
• Trax: 2017–2022
• Traverse: 2017–2022"

 

[ClarD]

I am googling "What BMWs is Android Auto Available on?" and repeating for each make.

Or you could check which models have Google Automotive.
Do you think any offer both?

 

[SoCalTim]

Googling "which BMWs have Google Automotive?" brings back a list of cars with Android Auto ! Asking the question for "google built-in" is more accurate.

 

[ClarD]

Googling "which BMWs have Google Automotive?" brings back a list of cars with Android Auto ! Asking the question for "google built-in" is more accurate.

The exact terminology lost me.
There is a Google Automotive package which is a drop-in, not modified by the auto manufacturer and another package (GAS) which is modified by the manufacturer.
Looking at what I consider an authoritative source on https://built-in.google/cars/ is not helpful for pointing out individual models.

Wikipedia seems to have a curated list. I usually want to go to a better source, but this looks like it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Automotive
70 Vehicles with Android Automotive (with GAS)
38 Vehicles with Android Automotive (without GAS)
BMW X1 (2023+)
BMW X2 (2024+)
BMW X3 (2024+)
BMW 1 Series (2024+)
Porsche Macan (2024+)
Porsche Taycan (2025+)

I am making the assumption that those 108 models do not have Android Auto or CarPlay available.
In addition to that, at least half of the EVs on the road never had AA/CP.

"Porsche will offer Google services for navigation, speech, and app ecosystem in future vehicle generations, and plans to start production in the middle of the decade. "

 

[SoCalTim]

The exact terminology lost me.
There is a Google Automotive package which is a drop-in, not modified by the auto manufacturer and another package (GAS) which is modified by the manufacturer.
Looking at what I consider an authoritative source on https://built-in.google/cars/ is not helpful for pointing out individual models.

Wikipedia seems to have a curated list. I usually want to go to a better source, but this looks like it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Automotive
70 Vehicles with Android Automotive (with GAS)
38 Vehicles with Android Automotive (without GAS)

I am making the assumption that those 108 models do not have Android Auto or CarPlay available.
In addition to that, at least half of the EVs on the road never had AA/CP.

It seems from the Wikipedia article that there are 3 different products:
1. Android Auto - which mirrors smart phones.
2. Android Automotive with GAS - which enables an integrated infotainment system ' branded as "Google built in"
3. Android Automotive without GAS.

The issue is consumers want #1, Android Auto because a). they understand it b). it has the most apps c). is portable as it its based on the smart phone and so the same from car to car d). only requires a single license for licensed services like Sirius XM across all vehicles.

Most car makers allow you to have 1&2 or 1&3 but GM says you can only have #2.

 

[ClarD]

It seems from the Wikipedia article that there are 3 different products:
1. Android Auto - which mirrors smart phones.
2. Android Automotive with GAS - which enables an integrated infotainment system ' branded as "Google built in"
3. Android Automotive without GAS.

The issue is consumers want #1, Android Auto because a). they understand it b). it has the most apps c). is portable as it its based on the smart phone and so the same from car to car d). only requires a single license for licensed services like Sirius XM across all vehicles.

Most car makers allow you to have 1&2 or 1&3 but GM says you can only have #2.

There is not a single car on the market with 1&2 or 1&3.
The listings of #1 either don't have an end date, being stale or maybe open ended at this point.
The listings of #2&#3 either start after the conclusion of #1, or aren't in effect yet.

There is no auto manufacturer that will continue #1 for very long.
Google dropped support for Android Auto on mobile devices a few years ago. They have dropped the connectivity to the automotive built-in for models prior to Android 8, which probably includes no one at this time. It would be disappointing to get a new phone and find that it didn't connect to your car where the old phone did connect.
I recall they have announced the EOL for the automotive version.
Google AI says "While there's no definitive date for when Android Auto will completely disappear from cars, some car manufacturers like General Motors have announced plans to phase out Android Auto (along with Apple CarPlay) in their newer electric vehicles, potentially starting with models released in the near future; meaning you might not see Android Auto as an option on newer cars from certain brands soon. "