GM removed Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from its EVs – this upgrade adds it again

What GM takes, the aftermarket gives back.

General Motors’ controversial decision to ditch Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in most of its electric vehicles now has a way to fix the problem. As noted by Inside EVsa company called White Automotive and Media Services (WAMS) is advertising a new aftermarket upgrade kit that brings the popular telematics feature back to Chevy and GMC EVs.

On its website, the company promises “fully integrated wired and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto in all the ways you expect (and some you don’t!) without compromising existing features or functionality.” The upgrade is currently compatible with the Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs, as well as the GMC Sierra EV. (Sorry Cadillac!)

A video posted on the company’s site shows the upgrade — and it looks pretty cool. The standard CarPlay and Android Auto interface is displayed on the central infotainment display, and the video promises “OEM integration” with your preferred voice assistant, be it Siri or Google Assistant. You can display Apple Maps on the instrument cluster, including turn-by-turn navigation on the Heads-Up Display.

It all looks smart and works well, but the devil is in the details.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t look like a solution that will be widely available – at least not at first. WAMS says that due to the “complexity” of the installation process, and its desire to provide the “best customer experience,” the aftermarket kit is only available through one shop, LaFontaine Chevrolet in Plymouth, Michigan. Installation costs are also not available. We’ve reached out to WAMS for comment and will update this post if they respond.

GM first announced that it was ditching CarPlay and Android Auto in its EVs by 2023, defending the decision as a desire to provide a more immersive and integrated experience for customers who don’t value features.