First Car with Apple CarPlay: How Ferrari Made History in 2014

When Apple first announced CarPlay at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the idea of seeing your iPhone's interface on your car screen seemed almost futuristic.

Fast forward to today, and CarPlay is in over 800 vehicle models. But there had to be a first.

Key Takeaway

• The 2014 Ferrari FF was the first production car with Apple CarPlay, delivered to customers in September 2014
• The 2014 Kia Soul followed as the second CarPlay vehicle, proving the technology worked across all price points
• Apple introduced CarPlay at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014, but Ferrari beat everyone to market
• By 2025, 93.9% of new vehicles in the US support CarPlay, making it nearly universal
• The technology evolved from a luxury feature to standard equipment in just over a decade

The Ferrari FF: Breaking New Ground

When Ferrari announced on September 8, 2014, that it had delivered the first CarPlay-equipped vehicle to a customer in Italy, it marked a turning point in automotive technology.

The Ferrari FF wasn't just any car. This four-seater supercar, priced at $298,750, became the unlikely pioneer of a technology that would eventually reach everything from budget hatchbacks to pickup trucks.

Ferrari used an Alpine infotainment system for its CarPlay integration. The system displayed on the car's touchscreen and let drivers make calls, navigate, listen to music, and receive messages through familiar iPhone controls.

What made this implementation special was how well it worked. Drivers could control everything through the touchscreen, physical dashboard buttons, or voice commands via Siri using a steering wheel button. Third-party apps like Spotify, Stitcher, and Beats Music worked smoothly from day one.

The first Ferrari FF models with CarPlay shipped to buyers across Europe and beyond, including Germany, Great Britain, France, Switzerland, the United States, and Japan. These early adopters got to experience something that would soon transform the entire automotive industry.

How CarPlay Got Its Start

The story of CarPlay actually begins years before the Ferrari FF hit the road.

From iPod to iOS in the Car

Apple's journey into automotive integration started with the iPod. In 2010, BMW announced support for iPod Out, letting drivers connect their iPods to select BMW and Mini models. The iPod projected its interface to the car's display while accepting inputs from vehicle controls.

This early experiment proved something important: car manufacturers could successfully integrate Apple devices into their infotainment systems.

Apple built on this foundation with Siri Eyes Free in 2012. This voice-activated system let drivers summon Siri through steering wheel buttons using Bluetooth connectivity. It was simple but effective.

The real breakthrough came at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2013. Senior Vice President Eddy Cue posed a question to developers and automotive executives: "What if you could get iOS on the screen that is built into your car?"

That question became iOS in the Car, which would eventually become CarPlay.

The Geneva Announcement

On March 3, 2014, Apple formally unveiled CarPlay at the Geneva International Motor Show. The timing was strategic—Geneva is one of the automotive industry's most important global showcases.

Apple demonstrated working implementations in vehicles from three launch partners: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. But Ferrari would be first to market.

Twelve major automakers committed to CarPlay at launch: Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Ferrari, Infiniti, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Acura, Jaguar, Opel, and Chevrolet. This diverse group spanning luxury and mainstream brands showed Apple's strategy wasn't about exclusivity—it was about accessibility.

The announcement created questions about compatibility. Ferrari delivered its first CarPlay-equipped FF just one day before Apple announced the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, with iOS 8 scheduled for September 17, 2014. Despite these timing concerns, Ferrari's implementation worked smoothly.

The Second Wave: Kia and Mainstream Adoption

While Ferrari grabbed headlines, the 2014 Kia Soul quietly became the second production vehicle with CarPlay.

This mattered more than you might think.

The Soul was a compact crossover SUV priced nowhere near Ferrari territory. By offering CarPlay in an affordable, practical vehicle, Kia and Apple proved the technology could work across all automotive segments.

This move was intentional. Apple wanted to show that CarPlay wasn't just for luxury cars—it was for everyone.

Hyundai Accelerates Adoption

Hyundai became one of the most aggressive early adopters. In November 2014, the company announced the Sonata sedan would get CarPlay, with availability targeted for the first quarter of 2015.

When the 2015 Hyundai Sonata arrived with CarPlay support, it represented a significant moment for mainstream consumers who previously thought smartphone integration was limited to luxury brands.

Hyundai didn't stop with the Sonata. The company rolled out CarPlay to the Genesis Sedan, Azera, and additional Sonata trim levels, showing compatibility across both luxury and mainstream offerings.

General Motors Goes All In

In May 2015, General Motors made the biggest commitment yet. The company announced CarPlay would be available on fourteen different 2016 model year Chevrolet vehicles, including the Camaro, Colorado, Corvette, Cruze, Impala, Malibu, Silverado, Spark, Suburban, and Tahoe.

GM complemented this Chevrolet rollout with CarPlay across Cadillac luxury models including the ATS, CTS, Escalade, and more. This volume commitment from one of the world's largest automakers signaled that CarPlay had arrived as mainstream technology.

The Expansion Years: 2015-2018

Between 2015 and 2018, CarPlay adoption exploded across the automotive industry.

Honda announced in July 2015 that CarPlay would arrive in the 2016 Accord. Volvo implemented it in the 2016 XC90. Mercedes-Benz confirmed availability for select 2016 models. Subaru brought both CarPlay and Android Auto to the 2017 Impreza.

Even BMW, which had pioneered Apple device integration through iPod Out nearly a decade earlier, added CarPlay as a standalone option in most vehicles by September 2016.

An interesting milestone occurred in October 2017 when the 2018 Honda Gold Wing became the first motorcycle to support CarPlay, proving smartphone integration reached beyond four-wheeled vehicles.

The Toyota Holdout Ends

Toyota was a notable CarPlay holdout for years. The company's extended resistance puzzled industry observers, especially given Toyota's relatively quick embrace of other smartphone technologies.

In January 2018, Toyota finally announced it would implement CarPlay starting with the 2019 Avalon. This decision reflected overwhelming consumer demand that Toyota could no longer ignore without affecting sales.

When even the most resistant manufacturers embraced CarPlay, the technology's universal future became clear.

The Wireless Revolution

While wired CarPlay worked well, the introduction of wireless connectivity eliminated a major friction point.

Wireless Apple CarPlay was first introduced in 2015 with iOS 9. Instead of requiring a lightning cable, wireless CarPlay uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to establish and maintain connections between iPhones and car infotainment systems.

However, widespread manufacturer support lagged behind the technology's availability. It took a few years for car manufacturers and aftermarket systems to broadly support wireless CarPlay.

Today, many new car models come equipped with wireless CarPlay as standard or available, though wired connections remain common in a significant portion of the global vehicle fleet.

Premium brands like BMW began offering wireless CarPlay in select models from 2017 onwards. Luxury manufacturers including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche implemented wireless support in select models from 2019 onwards. Ford more recently extended wireless CarPlay to models like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150.

For vehicles that only support wired CarPlay, wireless aftermarket adapters from companies like Carlinkit and Ottocast have emerged as viable solutions. These adapters plug into the car's USB port and create a wireless link without requiring native wireless support.

CarPlay's Market Dominance Today

The numbers tell a remarkable story.

CarPlay availability reached 93.9% of new vehicles sold in the United States during 2023, up from just 35.2% in 2017. That's nearly sixfold growth in six years—a rate you don't often see in automotive technology.

More recent data from 2025 indicates that CarPlay support continues expanding globally, with more than 800 vehicle models from multiple manufacturers supporting the platform across all market segments.

Consumer preference data demonstrates overwhelming support for CarPlay as a purchasing factor. A 2024 J.D. Power survey revealed that while infotainment systems are consistently the lowest-ranked features on new cars in America, CarPlay and Android Auto score significantly higher, with CarPlay being most preferred.

A 2023 McKinsey survey found that nearly half of new car buyers globally would not purchase a vehicle without CarPlay or Android Auto. Eighty-five percent of respondents indicated they preferred phone-based systems to their car's built-in software.

Apple claims that seventy-nine percent of car buyers want CarPlay in their vehicles, aligning with independent research findings.

The Controversies and Pushback

Despite CarPlay's success, not everyone is thrilled about it.

General Motors' Reversal

In April 2023, General Motors announced it would gradually stop including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its electric vehicles. The company cited wanting to collect more driver data and deliver what it characterized as a better user experience.

This decision sparked immediate consumer backlash.

According to market research, about one-third of vehicle buyers explicitly insist upon CarPlay or Android Auto availability when purchasing vehicles. Significant percentages indicated willingness to pay premiums for these systems' availability.

Only 28% of U.S. respondents and 35% of global respondents indicated willingness to switch to proprietary native systems if smartphone integration proved unavailable.

Early reviews of vehicles using GM's proprietary Ultifi platform revealed significant user frustration and technical challenges. Initial Chevrolet Blazer EV purchasers encountered compatibility issues, connection failures, and performance problems. Customer satisfaction data indicated substantial dissatisfaction, with numerous reports of canceled vehicle orders explicitly attributed to GM's removal of CarPlay.

The Data Collection Question

The controversy centers on data collection and revenue opportunities.

When drivers enter navigation destinations or select music through CarPlay or Android Auto, the data from these interactions flows primarily to Apple or Google rather than to the automobile manufacturer. This arrangement leaves manufacturers without crucial intelligence about how customers use vehicle systems.

The Federal Trade Commission took action against General Motors in January 2025, alleging that the company collected, used, and sold drivers' precise location and driving behavior data from millions of vehicles without adequately notifying consumers. The FTC complaint alleged that GM used a misleading enrollment process for its OnStar service while failing to clearly disclose data collection practices.

This represented the first regulatory action related to connected vehicle data collection practices, signaling government recognition of the urgency of establishing clear privacy standards for automotive data.

Manufacturer Resistance to Deeper Integration

Several European luxury manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volvo have expressed resistance to Apple's next-generation CarPlay Ultra system. An executive from Renault reportedly told Apple: "Don't try to invade our own systems," reflecting the depth of manufacturer concerns about giving up control.

Automakers fear that expanding CarPlay's scope from simple infotainment mirroring to comprehensive vehicle control could reduce their strategic flexibility and ability to differentiate their brands.

However, these manufacturer concerns clash with demonstrated consumer preferences. When Rivian conducted internal research, the company discovered that seventy percent of its customers wanted CarPlay. Even after becoming familiar with Rivian's proprietary software, thirty percent still preferred Apple and Google's systems.

CarPlay Ultra: The Next Generation

At the 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced an all-new version of CarPlay, informally dubbed CarPlay Ultra, designed to represent the most ambitious automotive technology initiative in the company's history.

Unlike original CarPlay, which operated primarily within existing infotainment systems, CarPlay Ultra was designed to control vehicle functions, access comprehensive vehicle statistics, and potentially take over multiple vehicle screens including instrument clusters.

CarPlay Ultra would support multi-screen integration across the vehicle's instrument cluster, climate controls, and various information displays. The system could provide real-time vehicle data including speedometer readings, fuel levels, engine performance metrics, and comprehensive diagnostic information.

Apple initially announced plans to release CarPlay Ultra in late 2024 with support from manufacturers including Audi, Acura, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo.

The release was notably delayed, though. Apple removed the planned release date from its website in January 2025. The eventual May 2025 launch was dramatically limited in scope, initially available exclusively for Aston Martin vehicles in the United States and Canada.

Despite initial manufacturer resistance, some automotive groups have expressed continued commitment. The Hyundai Motor Group confirmed that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis still intend to introduce Apple CarPlay Ultra in the future. Porsche indicated the company still planned to support CarPlay Ultra in future models, though without specific timelines.

What This Means for Car Buyers

If you're shopping for a car today, CarPlay availability is almost a given—but not quite.

Notable exceptions exist. Tesla and Rivian do not offer CarPlay or Android Auto in any form, instead developing proprietary infotainment systems. General Motors is phasing out CarPlay support in future electric vehicles starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV.

For most buyers, CarPlay has evolved from a nice-to-have feature to an expected baseline. The technology works across price points, from budget-friendly vehicles to luxury supercars.

If your current vehicle doesn't have CarPlay, you have options. Aftermarket solutions range from simple plug-and-play additions ($300-$500) to comprehensive infotainment system replacements ($1,000-$3,000+). Companies including Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, and Alpine manufacture compatible aftermarket hardware.

At Car Tech Studio, we specialize in aftermarket CarPlay solutions for a wide range of vehicles. We've helped countless customers upgrade their existing systems with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. Whether you drive a BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or even a Porsche, we have plug-and-play solutions that integrate with your existing system.

Our wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto modules work with vehicles that didn't come with CarPlay from the factory. For those looking for a more dramatic upgrade, our Tesla-style screens transform your dashboard with large vertical touchscreens that include wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and modern features like streaming apps. We also carry premium Android head units for a wide variety of makes and models.

Even luxury manufacturers like Porsche have developed aftermarket CarPlay solutions enabling classic vehicles from the 1960s onward to gain CarPlay functionality, demonstrating the platform's broad appeal.

The Future of In-Car Technology

The automotive industry faces a critical turning point regarding the future role of smartphone integration.

Consumer demand for CarPlay remains overwhelming. Independent research consistently demonstrates that a near-majority of new car buyers consider CarPlay and Android Auto must-have features influencing vehicle purchasing decisions.

At the same time, manufacturer resistance to deeper CarPlay integration through CarPlay Ultra reflects legitimate competitive concerns about data access, interface control, and revenue opportunities from proprietary infotainment systems.

The evolution from iOS in the Car announced in 2013 to today's landscape of competing proprietary systems, mainstream CarPlay adoption, and emerging CarPlay Ultra demonstrates how consumer preferences drive substantial changes in automotive technology development.

Whether through increased integration via CarPlay Ultra, continued co-existence of proprietary systems, or entirely new approaches for how we interact with our cars, consumer demand for familiar, reliable smartphone integration will almost certainly remain a central factor in automotive technology development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first car with Apple CarPlay?

The 2014 Ferrari FF was the first production car with Apple CarPlay, delivered to customers in September 2014. Ferrari beat other manufacturers to market despite CarPlay being announced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 alongside Mercedes-Benz and Volvo demonstrations.

What was the second car to have Apple CarPlay?

The 2014 Kia Soul became the second production vehicle to offer Apple CarPlay. This was strategically important because it proved CarPlay could work across different price points, not just in luxury vehicles like the Ferrari FF.

When did Apple CarPlay come out?

Apple officially unveiled CarPlay on March 3, 2014, at the Geneva International Motor Show. The technology was first announced as "iOS in the Car" at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2013, but was rebranded and refined before the official launch.

Do all new cars have Apple CarPlay now?

As of 2025, about 93.9% of new vehicles sold in the United States support Apple CarPlay, making it nearly universal. Notable exceptions include Tesla, Rivian, and some newer General Motors electric vehicles, which use proprietary infotainment systems instead.

Can I add Apple CarPlay to an older car?

Yes, you can add CarPlay to older vehicles through aftermarket solutions. These range from simple wireless adapters ($300-$500) to comprehensive infotainment system replacements ($1,000-$3,000+) from companies like Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood, and Sony. At Car Tech Studio, we offer wireless CarPlay modules and premium head units for most vehicle makes and models. Some manufacturers even offer retrofit solutions for their classic vehicles.

What's the difference between wired and wireless CarPlay?

Wired CarPlay requires a physical lightning cable connection between your iPhone and the car's USB port. Wireless CarPlay, introduced in 2015 with iOS 9, uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect without cables. Wireless CarPlay is more convenient but not available in all vehicles—though aftermarket wireless adapters can add this capability to cars with only wired support.

Why are some car manufacturers removing CarPlay?

Some manufacturers like General Motors are phasing out CarPlay to maintain control over customer data and the in-vehicle experience. When drivers use CarPlay, usage data flows to Apple rather than the automaker. This decision has faced significant consumer backlash, with research showing many buyers refuse to purchase vehicles without CarPlay.

What is CarPlay Ultra?

CarPlay Ultra (also called CarPlay 2) is Apple's next-generation system announced in 2022. Unlike original CarPlay, which primarily mirrors your iPhone to the car's screen, CarPlay Ultra is designed to control vehicle functions, take over multiple screens including instrument clusters, and integrate deeply with climate controls and driving modes. As of May 2025, it's only available in select Aston Martin vehicles, with limited manufacturer adoption due to concerns about giving control to Apple.