With BMW being the first manufacturer to offer wireless CarPlay, they will now also be the first OEM to charge a yearly subscription fee for Apple CarPlay. Moving from the previous flat $300 fee, BMW owners who want access to Apple CarPlay will now be charged $80 per year. If you purchase a new BMW you will get the first year for free.
According to an interview in The Verge with Don Smith, technology product manager for BMW North America, stated the reason for this change is:
“This allows the customer to switch devices. A lot of people buy [CarPlay] thinks it’s okay, but sometimes they stop using it or switch to Android.”
Interestingly enough however, BMW has been very adamant about not allowing Android Auto compatibility into their vehicles. So while they acknowledge people like to use different phones, they are still shutting out Android users.
With the average person holding on to a car for 6.5 years, minus the first year for free, if you want to get a BMW with CarPlay you will be looking at spending $560.
