In what is shaping up to be either a stroke of technical and user interface genius, or a colossal apology in the making, GM is doubling down on its commitment to ax Apple CarPlay in its new EVs as part of a larger automaker battle for infotainment control and revenue, following in the footsteps of Tesla and Rivian, who won’t include CarPlay in their vehicles. Consumers don’t seem excited or trusting and in some cases are already leaving the brand.
- In 2015 CEO Mary Barra said, "Partnering with Apple and Google to offer CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility across the widest range of models in the industry is a great example of how Chevrolet continues to democratize technology that's important to our customers."
- Leveraging Android Automotive, GM will pay to license Google Maps and Google Assistant for its new infotainment center, which will be free to drivers for eight years.
- Other automakers like Honda and Polestar are making it clear that CarPlay is a part of their future
In an EV environment of price (and Carplay) dropping, Volvo is playing its own Swedish-made, China-owned game. While competitors engage in price wars, Volvo Cars remains confident in its strong demand and sees no reason to slash prices, as its operating earnings outperform estimates.
- Volvo Cars maintains its outlook and reports healthy demand, with unit sales up 10% in the first quarter.
- CEO Jim Rowan states that as long as demand remains high, there is no reason to reduce prices for the automaker.
- Rowan also mentions that lithium prices, a significant cost factor for EVs, have started to decline, with more sources becoming available worldwide.
A recent study by WalletHub has ranked Southwest as the worst airline in the US, while Delta Airlines claims the top spot for the second year in a row. The ranking analyzed the 11 biggest US airlines based on 14 metrics across four categories, including safety, comfort, and cost.
- 10. Frontier Airlines, 9. American Airlines, 8. Envoy Airlines, 7. JetBlue Airways, 6. Hawaiian Airlines, 5. Alaska Airlines, 4. United Airlines, 3. Skywest Airlines, 2. Spirit Airlines, and 1. Delta Airlines.
- Southwest was ranked the worst airline for the second year in a row due to a combination of factors such as poor on-time performance, customer complaints, lost baggage, and limited in-flight amenities.
- Delta Airlines held top spot for the second consecutive year because of its exceptional on-time performance, low rates of customer complaints, high safety standards, and overall commitment to providing a comfortable and satisfying travel experience.
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