GM infotainment

[Lightningwaiter]

Sure glad I have CarPlay in my lightning. GM’s entertainment software just breaks
things. Car companies don’t seem to support their cars for long
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/1...nload-apps-through-their-infotainment-system/

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[Maquis]

I read an article today that claims GM is dropping CarPlay across the line. Until now, only EVs didn’t have it.

 

[Athrun88]

This is why Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support was critical when shopping around for my 'forever' vehicle. No way I'm going to rely on the crappy, underpowered, under supported manufacturer infotainment system when I have something that is far more powerful and capable in my pocket. Wife wants a Blazer EV or Silverado EV for the exterior styling, but the second I say there is no Android Auto, she is turned off!

 

[Altivec]

One of the major reasons I am in a lightning and not in a Denali EV. I Have a Cadillac and how they treat infotainment I don't wish on anyone. Extremely poor decision on their part.

 

[WXman]

This is why Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support was critical when shopping around for my 'forever' vehicle.

Funny you say this, because I was just thinking to myself that all this tech in vehicles today is preventing ALL of them from being "forever vehicles". In ten years, there is zero chance you'll be able to walk into a dealership and buy a replacement screen for a Lightning, or any of the myriad modules, computers, etc. onboard either.

I generally avoid GM vehicles like the plague, but I think that when my Lightning lease is up and I buy my "forever truck" as I head into retirement, I will either order an absolute stripped down base model of some ICE truck that sells in large volume (F-250 XL for example) OR I will go back to a pre-COVID truck. Something that I can actually buy parts for and fix and keep on the road for 20 or 30 years.

NO EVs currently sold will be supported long term, and keeping them "forever" will end up being a game of finding things on eBay or from third party suppliers, if any arise.

 

[Athrun88]

Funny you say this, because I was just thinking to myself that all this tech in vehicles today is preventing ALL of them from being "forever vehicles". In ten years, there is zero chance you'll be able to walk into a dealership and buy a replacement screen for a Lightning, or any of the myriad modules, computers, etc. onboard either.

I generally avoid GM vehicles like the plague, but I think that when my Lightning lease is up and I buy my "forever truck" as I head into retirement, I will either order an absolute stripped down base model of some ICE truck that sells in large volume (F-250 XL for example) OR I will go back to a pre-COVID truck. Something that I can actually buy parts for and fix and keep on the road for 20 or 30 years.

NO EVs currently sold will be supported long term, and keeping them "forever" will end up being a game of finding things on eBay or from third party suppliers, if any arise.

Ha, yeah, I agree. "Forever" I guess wasn't the correct term I wanted to use.. Maybe "super long term" would be more accurate. My ICE vehicles have all lasted either 400,000km or 6+ years before I eventually replaced them. Goal for the Lightning when I got her was to hit either 800,000km or 10 years before I entertain replacing her. In 10 years, I'll be almost 50 and maybe will want something less utility and more comfort.

On the flip side, who knows what kind of 3rd party accessories and upgrades might come to be? Fingers crossed over here.

 

[Henry Ford]

Funny you say this, because I was just thinking to myself that all this tech in vehicles today is preventing ALL of them from being "forever vehicles". In ten years, there is zero chance you'll be able to walk into a dealership and buy a replacement screen for a Lightning, or any of the myriad modules, computers, etc. onboard either.

I don't think parts availability will be as big an issue as you do. Lightning is a trim level of the F150 and shares an overwhelming number of components, including modules. Even the center screen is shared with the Expedition.

There have been about 100,000 Lightnings built. It's not exactly a low volume vehicle.

 

[RocketGhost]

I've never downloaded apps to any of our vehicles and didn't really know that is a thing. I guess there's things like Ford giving us Karaoke but I've never used or thought about needing apps other than the ones that came with the vehicle. Native apps could be a lot better for sure, but I don't know what additional ones I would want.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

Kind of a shame as vehicles of the past you would just replace the head unit, but now they build in other things like AC/heat, so you're basically reliant on the manufacture. InsideEV website tried to make the argument they shouldn't have Android Auto / Apple Carplay because it makes them reliant on 3rd party. Well what they didn't acknowledge is car manufactures aren't like Telsa where it's close to the same system on every single vehicle. Ford/Chevy/etc.. make super base work trucks and are not going to have a Tesla screen installed on them with cell service.......

 

[Firn]

I've never downloaded apps to any of our vehicles and didn't really know that is a thing. I guess there's things like Ford giving us Karaoke but I've never used or thought about needing apps other than the ones that came with the vehicle. Native apps could be a lot better for sure, but I don't know what additional ones I would want.

Similar to Android Auto there are apps like water, Spotify, etc.

Personally I would like a good data display app with direct integration into the sensors. Having something to display 5, 10, 15 minute efficiency averages, heater power usage, etc would be nice

 

[PJnc284]

Funny you say this, because I was just thinking to myself that all this tech in vehicles today is preventing ALL of them from being "forever vehicles". In ten years, there is zero chance you'll be able to walk into a dealership and buy a replacement screen for a Lightning, or any of the myriad modules, computers, etc. onboard either.

In 10 years, I'd be surprised if the modem/connected services even work. Tmobile will apparently begin reallocating LTE spectrum in early 2026 and fully phase it out by 2035. AT&T (used by Ford) hasn't publicly announced anything but you can bet they already have plans.

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