Dubai: If you are weighing your choices to go for an iPhone, General Motors can lend its voice to the debate.
The ‘Apple CarPlay’ has been embedded with the 2016 model-year Chevrolet badges such as the entry-level Spark and the upscale sedan Impala among others. And the 2017 model-year Malibu will also be having the feature, as would all Cadillac models except for the 2016 model-year SRX. On the GMC side of things, the Yukon and Sierra will be preloaded with the Apple Car Play.
“It takes the iPhone features you’d want to access while driving and puts them on the vehicle’s display in a smart, simple manner,” said Rajesh Krishnan, Group General Manager for Liberty Automobiles, the UAE dealership for the Cadillac. “This allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen or by voice via Siri.”
It is also compatible with third-party audio apps and can sync any iPhone that has the iOS 7.1 operating system or higher. (A full list of those apps can be found at Apple.com/ios/carplay.)
“Since it’s a duplication of the phone on the CUE [Cadillac User Experience infotainment system], most features will be common between what’s available here and in the US,” said Krishnan. “This feature comes as original fitment and there is nothing extra to be done at the dealership.”
At the Dubai International Motor Show, there will be a global debut of the Cadillac XT5 and the regional debut of the marque’s CT6. On the Chevrolet side, there will be the all-new Camaro, Spark, Malibu and new-look Silverado.
“GM Middle East created a separate Cadillac sales and marketing unit as part of the brand’s global revitalisation,” said Mike Devereux, Vice-President for Sales, Marketing and After-sales at GM International. “The brand’s sales were up 48 per cent on an annual basis in the first-half of 2015. Our goal is to double Cadillac sales in the Middle East by 2022.”
