BMW is supplying cars without Android Auto or Apple CarPlay to avoid delays due to chip shortages.
Faced with a shortage of chips, BMW decided to ship some of its vehicles without Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support. It is reported by Automotive News Europe. According to the statement, BMW switched suppliers and began using a chip that is not fully compatible with Android Auto or CarPlay. As a result of the operation, vehicles from the affected manufacturer will receive an over-the-air software update “at the latest by the end of June.”
BMW delivers cars without Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
As 9to5Google points out, you can check if your new BMW is affected by looking for “6P1″in the car’s production code. It would also appear that all of the vehicles in question were produced during the first four months of 2022 and had their final destinations in the US, France, Italy, Spain and the UK.
to avoid delays due to lack of chips
This is not the first time BMW has delivered vehicles that are missing some non-essential features to avoid delivery delays. Last fall, the manufacturer skipped touch functionality for some vehicles, again due to a shortage of chips. And BMW isn’t the only brand doing this. Also last fall, Tesla decided to ship some vehicles without a USB port. A few weeks ago, Ford delivered Explorer SUVs without rear climate control.
The lack of Android Auto and CarPlay for BMWs might be more problematic. When Mercedes-Benz faced a similar dilemma, Automotive News Europe reported that the brand decided not to include the required chip in some vehicles, so affected customers will have to bring their own vehicle to have it installed later.