Volkswagen confirms plans to launch CarPlay support later this year

Volkswagen confirms plans to launch CarPlay support later this year



Volkswagen, at CES 2015, has finally announced what it plans to do with both CarPlay and Android Auto. The German auto manufacturer has confirmed that it will begin shipping cars with CarPlay capabilities later this year in its 2016 models. We reported back July of last year that Volkswagen and Apple were in talks to bring CarPlay to VW’s 2016 models.


CarPlay will run on Volkswagen’s MIB II dash electronics in the United States and Europe. Volkswagen will also make its MirrorLink software available later this year. Android Auto and CarPlay support will be launched under the company’s App-Connect label.

Volkswagen was one of the biggest holdouts when Apple officially released CarPlay last year with iOS 7.1, especially when considering VW was at the forefront of Apple’s plans to integrate iPos into cars. The most likely reason for the hold-out on Volkswagen’s part was to be able to successfully integrate both Android Auto and CarPlay into the same system. Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have both delayed their respective launches of CarPlay, pushing them into 2015, as well.

Later this year, VW will introduce the second generation “modular infotainment platform” (MIB II) in the United States. Along with the new infotainment system, MirrorLink™ will also be made available for the first time, integrating the apps and operating layout of numerous smartphones (including Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony) into cars. When MirrorLink™ is introduced, two other interfaces will also be launched under the App-Connect label: CarPlay™ (Apple®) and Android Auto™ (Google®). Simultaneously, VW will also launch CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ in the European market.

While Volkswagen has not announced a specific date for the rollout of CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, the company promises that it will ship the software sometime this year in both the United States and Europe.