Rivian CEO Stands Firm on Skipping Apple CarPlay, Calls It a “Convicted” Decision

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe is standing by his decision not to integrate Apple’s CarPlay into the company’s EVs, even as rivals embrace it.

This was highlighted by the chief executive during a recent podcast appearance.

Rivian focuses on its own ecosystem

Speaking on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Scaringe said Rivian aims to build a “seamless digital experience” entirely within its own software ecosystem. This means that Rivian will simply be offering native access to key apps like Apple Music, Spotify, Google Maps, and YouTube, according to MacRumors.

Scaringe reiterated that Rivian wants drivers to stay immersed in its own digital interface instead of switching between systems. The company’s infotainment platform allows users to access popular third-party apps directly, avoiding the need for external mirroring tools like CarPlay or Android Auto. Rivian’s software approach mirrors that of Tesla, which also relies on its own app integrations rather than Apple’s.

AI integration to take center stage

The Rivian CEO added that the company is preparing to introduce AI-powered features within 18 months, including native voice-to-text messaging. Scaringe said this upcoming AI suite will further justify the brand’s decision to control the in-vehicle experience. “We’re really convicted on this,” the CEO said.

While he acknowledged that some customers may avoid Rivian due to the lack of CarPlay, Scaringe said he’s “very confident” in the choice. “Some of those decisions not everyone’s going to agree with,” he said. “That’s okay.”

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