GM in trouble: Former Apple manager quits, developer fired

Attempts by General Motors (GM), once the world’s largest automobile company, to rely on its own software for its electric vehicles with the help of Google and ban Apple’s CarPlay have suffered a setback: the company has decided to cut a number of positions in its IT engineers . More than 1,000 permanent employees in the “software and services” areas will be laid off, including 600 people from the company’s “tech campus” near Detroit. A total of 1.3 percent of the current 76,000 jobs (excluding contract workers) were lost worldwide, the American stock exchange broadcaster CNBC wrote this week. Former high-ranking Apple manager, Mike Abbott, who was supposed to run GM’s software business, left in March, citing “health reasons.”

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It’s better to have your own platform

GM decided to equip only combustion engines with the popular smartphone integrations CarPlay (Apple) and Android Auto (Google) in spring 2023. Pure electric vehicles, which are said to be the group’s future, should have their own software platform, including an infotainment system, maps and charging apps. The first vehicle with the new technology was the Chevrolet Blazer of the 2024 model series. GM hoped to be able to sell services to customers in addition to cars in the future. For example, the strategy of offering vehicle functions as a subscription is not new; it is used by BMW and Mercedes.

However, GM didn’t want to implement the idea alone, so it brought in Google as a partner – even though it had previously canceled Android Auto. The idea was to develop the technology deeper into your own vehicle, including access to an “autopilot”-like driving assistance called “Super Cruise.” GM wants to get out of the combustion engine business completely by 2035. iPhones and Android devices can still be used for Bluetooth playback in cars without Android Auto and CarPlay.

“Speed ​​and Excellence”

It’s unclear whether GM’s current problems have anything to do with the change in software strategy. The entire industry is currently in a crisis and selling far fewer electric vehicles than expected. According to a statement to CNBC, GM wants to simplify the company “for speed and excellence” and “prioritize investments that have the greatest impact”.

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Own software platforms for vehicles can be quite successful. Tesla has never offered CarPlay support, preferring to use its own operating system – which is quite popular among customers. Competitor Rivian follows the same strategy as it considers software one of its core competencies.

(B.Sc.)