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| Close-up view of Silverado EV Trail Boss 11-inch driver information center |
General Motors plans to phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from all new vehicles — including gas-powered models — possibly as early as the 2028 model year, replacing them with a proprietary infotainment platform built on Google’s Android Automotive OS.
The move has sparked alarm among radio broadcasters who fear automakers are seizing control of in-car content and threatening the future of free over-the-air radio.
Broadcasters say GM’s decision is part of a broader industry trend toward closed ecosystems that prioritize revenue and data collection over open access.
Salem Media VP Nic Anderson called it “about revenue and control,” warning that removing third-party apps funnels drivers into environments where automakers alone decide what content is available. He described the traditional car radio as “the great equalizer — free, local and open to all,” delivering news, weather alerts, and community updates without subscriptions or data plans.
The shift will make broadcasters “entirely reliant” on GM to provide prominent, frictionless access to radio, according to industry observer James Cridland. He warned that if GM operates its own app store, it could favor certain broadcasters (e.g., heavily promoting Audacy while burying iHeart) or exclude others entirely. The North American Broadcasters Association urged GM to keep AM/FM access “as frictionless as possible” regardless of other platforms.GM insists the transition will be gradual and that its new centralized computing system supports AM/FM radio capability.
The first vehicles to lose phone projection will be certain 2028 electric models, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ, with the rest of the portfolio following in subsequent major launches.Industry analysts note the move aligns with actions already taken by Tesla and Rivian, which have also bypassed phone-projection systems. Electronics analyst Roger Lanctot said automakers want control over in-car apps to create safer, more intelligent experiences and to know what drivers are doing — something impossible when a phone is projected onto the dash.
Despite GM retaining AM/FM tuners for now, observer Jerry Del Colliano called it a “short-term win,” arguing the broader strategy heavily favors streaming and treats radio as a “declining afterthought.” A 2023 poll cited by Del Colliano showed 88% of respondents considered lack of CarPlay/Android Auto a dealbreaker when buying a new car, suggesting potential consumer backlash.