Ford Skips Apple CarPlay Ultra: 5 Brands Already Quit

The automotive industry is buzzing with excitement about Apple CarPlay Ultra, but not everyone's ready to jump on board. Ford's cautious stance mirrors wider hesitation around Apple's latest in-car push. Apple launched CarPlay Ultra in May 2025 after earlier previews (first teased at WWDC 2022), promising deeper vehicle integration and complete dashboard control. Even so, Ford doesn't think CarPlay Ultra is worth using now, but will look at future versions. What makes this particularly telling is the pattern of automaker withdrawals. Five brands that initially committed to the new tech have now dipped out: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Renault and Volvo. That is a high-profile roll call, and it suggests the technology is not delivering the seamless integration these premium brands expected for their customers. Ford's measured response highlights the balance between innovation and practicality in a fast-moving infotainment world. Being first is not always best, especially when it comes