General Motors Co.'s plan to distribute Apple software faster than its competitors is working. CarPlay is now available on 27 GM models.
Most car makers plan to use CarPlay or Google's Alphabet, Inc. Android Auto software in their vehicles in coming years. By 2022, one of the two systems will be in 80 percent of new cars, says researcher IHS.
The dashboard displays provide drivers with information, entertainment and possibly revenue from purchases.
Autotrader.com, an auto information website, says 44 percent of customers surveyed would pay a thousand dollars more to buy a car with CarPlay or Android Auto. And car dealerships are trying to keep customers from defecting to either of the systems.
Toyota, GM's biggest competitor, isn't moving forward with a smartphone system at this time. They say the systems aren't the right fit for every buyer, because not everyone owns a smartphone capable of linking with Android Auto or CarPlay.
Honda and Volkswagen AG offer one of the two smartphone systems on a few models.
In countries such as China, the modified Android Auto won't work with the country's operating system, and not many customers have an Apple iPhone.
Ford Motors first released its Sync system in 2008. It runs apps, sends texts and receives messages through voice activation. They also developed an open source language for apps that it's trying to get other car makers to use. California researcher J.D. Power and Associates says that, in the last five years, car owners' greatest complaints involved vehicle connectivity. Their voice recognition and Bluetooth pairing were top concerns as well.
Automotive analysts with IHS Automotive say car makers have invested money, blood, sweat and tears developing systems with their own brands. Now they're threatened by customers preferring to see their Apple and Google smartphones on the dashboard.