BMW to provide Apple CarPlay free for life in UK

BMW to make software standard on most models for the lifetime of the car, rather than charge customers after the first 12 months.

By Lawrence Allan, Autocar UK calendar 05 Dec 2019 Views icon12824 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp
BMW to provide Apple CarPlay free for life in UK

BMW is set to announce today that it has reversed its controversial decision to charge Apple CarPlay users £85 (Rs 8,000) per year.

Launched in 2018 with the brand’s latest ‘7.0’ operating system, customers received a year's free subscription to the service, which lets users synchronise their iPhone with the car’s infotainment system. After 12 months, owners were asked if they wanted to let the subscription lapse or pay £85 for another year’s access.

Now, a BMW spokesperson claims, the system will be free for the lifetime of the car on all models operating the latest infotainment system. Models that aren’t, such as the i3, i8 and runout examples of the 2 Series and 4 Series, will need to pay £235 (Rs 22,084) for a lifetime subscription.

BMW in the UK

Customers who've already paid for a year’s or three year's subscription in models now not affected will be offered free unlimited subscription instead, it's claimed.

Apple claims it doesn't charge car manufacturers a fee to use CarPlay, but costs are incurred in integrating it with the car’s screen. Most manufacturers factor this into the list or lease price of the model, but BMW was the first to decide to pass that cost onto the customer and give them a choice.

Source

RELATED ARTICLES
US tariffs will hurt both automakers and US manufacturing: ACEA

auther Autocar India calendar27 Mar 2025

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association says that the EU and the US must engage in dialogue to find an immediate ...

Trump levies 25% tariff on all cars imported to US

auther Autocar India calendar27 Mar 2025

President Donald Trump claims new levy on all cars and car parts shipped into the country will create "tremendous growth...

Hyundai opens its third factory in the US: Metaplant America

auther Autocar India calendar27 Mar 2025

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America's vehicle assembly and battery plant is the key pillar of the Hyundai Motor Group’...