It’s silly but I have no interest in buying or driving cars that don’t support CarPlay. I’m used to it. It is safer for me to drive with a gps/voice control system I am used to. When I’ve had to rent cars that don’t support it it has been awful.
I would feel the same if I was an android user with Android auto.
I do not think every car needs their own system when one’s based on the devices we already use exist. Pisses me off.
I also wish someone would make a base model style EV I don’t need all these stupid extra features. I recently test drove a VW EV and wasn’t amused with the RGB door lighting. What a waste of money. I just want a vehicle to get from A to B.
Ironically, the Chevy Bolt was a perfect car for that. Reasonably priced, no stupid gizmos like retracting door handles, Android Auto, actual buttons for controls… But of course GM killed it. A new version should come out eventually, but who knows if it’ll keep the spirit of their old Bolts. For now, the used market hit the sweet spot where it’s still a pretty modern car, but it’s gone through most of its depreciation from new so it’s pretty cheap. Especially with the tax credit.
Full disclosure: DC fast charging sucks on this car. On some pre-2022 models it’s non-existent. But it’s still excellent for commuting and medium-short trips!
I’ve been thinking of starting an ev retrofit company for very common cars/platforms. Drop out the drivetrain/fuel system. Install all the necessary replacement bits, and addons for a/c, heat, etc. Piggyback some kind of system so traction control doesn’t have an aneurism and make the gauges work right. I would need to find a reliable source for batteries and motors.
Edison Motors is doing that in Canada for light duty trucks. I don’t think there’s much of a market for it outside that considering the insane amount of labor costs you’d encounter trying to retrofit a vehicle. Best to either sell the kits to DIYers or find those few unicorn buyers who’d be willing to hand you $100k-$200k for 6-12 months worth of labor on a one-off vehicle.
yeah it would have to be a preconfigured kit for specific vehicles/drivetrain platorms which could be installed in a few days. Transit vans, ford/chevy p/u suv. A popular compact car platform with unreliable drivetrain issues.
Frankly CarPlay and Android Auto suck in my opinion compared to iDrive 7 on my BMW.
But… that being said, I do support choice. I wouldn’t even consider a car that doesn’t allow CP/AA as I think it should be up to the consumer to pick which one they want to use.
That’s what I love about my ‘23 Yaris. The entertainment system is basically a radio and hybrid telemetry. Everything else is CarPlay/Android Auto. No shitty outdated maps, no 90’-style MP3 player…
It’s silly but I have no interest in buying or driving cars that don’t support CarPlay. I’m used to it. It is safer for me to drive with a gps/voice control system I am used to. When I’ve had to rent cars that don’t support it it has been awful.
I would feel the same if I was an android user with Android auto.
I do not think every car needs their own system when one’s based on the devices we already use exist. Pisses me off.
I also wish someone would make a base model style EV I don’t need all these stupid extra features. I recently test drove a VW EV and wasn’t amused with the RGB door lighting. What a waste of money. I just want a vehicle to get from A to B.
Ironically, the Chevy Bolt was a perfect car for that. Reasonably priced, no stupid gizmos like retracting door handles, Android Auto, actual buttons for controls… But of course GM killed it. A new version should come out eventually, but who knows if it’ll keep the spirit of their old Bolts. For now, the used market hit the sweet spot where it’s still a pretty modern car, but it’s gone through most of its depreciation from new so it’s pretty cheap. Especially with the tax credit.
Full disclosure: DC fast charging sucks on this car. On some pre-2022 models it’s non-existent. But it’s still excellent for commuting and medium-short trips!
I’ve been thinking of starting an ev retrofit company for very common cars/platforms. Drop out the drivetrain/fuel system. Install all the necessary replacement bits, and addons for a/c, heat, etc. Piggyback some kind of system so traction control doesn’t have an aneurism and make the gauges work right. I would need to find a reliable source for batteries and motors.
Edison Motors is doing that in Canada for light duty trucks. I don’t think there’s much of a market for it outside that considering the insane amount of labor costs you’d encounter trying to retrofit a vehicle. Best to either sell the kits to DIYers or find those few unicorn buyers who’d be willing to hand you $100k-$200k for 6-12 months worth of labor on a one-off vehicle.
yeah it would have to be a preconfigured kit for specific vehicles/drivetrain platorms which could be installed in a few days. Transit vans, ford/chevy p/u suv. A popular compact car platform with unreliable drivetrain issues.
I figure cost could come in below $20k depending.
Frankly CarPlay and Android Auto suck in my opinion compared to iDrive 7 on my BMW.
But… that being said, I do support choice. I wouldn’t even consider a car that doesn’t allow CP/AA as I think it should be up to the consumer to pick which one they want to use.
The Nav system on my Audi Q7 BLOWS compared to Android Auto. It can’t seem to understand a damn thing I say.
Yeah I’ve used the Audi one and it sucks. Especially traffic, so many missing streets and odd routing.
That’s what I love about my ‘23 Yaris. The entertainment system is basically a radio and hybrid telemetry. Everything else is CarPlay/Android Auto. No shitty outdated maps, no 90’-style MP3 player…