Why doesn't Hongqi support CarPlay
3 Answers
Hongqi does not support CarPlay for the following reasons: Hongqi has its own Hongqi Zhilian system. By downloading the APP on your phone, you can achieve many functions, including remote control. The meaning of CarPlay: CarPlay is an in-car system released by Apple Inc. in the United States. It seamlessly integrates users' iOS devices and iOS usage experience with the dashboard system. CarPlay only supports iPhone phones with Lightning interfaces. There are three main ways to control CarPlay: Siri, touch screen display, and physical buttons.
To be honest, I think Hongqi's lack of CarPlay support is more of a strategic brand decision. As someone who frequently interacts with different automakers' systems, Hongqi has consistently promoted its own HiCar intelligent system, which is quite popular in the Chinese market. It supports local navigation with Amap or Baidu Maps, aligning better with domestic users' habits. While Apple's CarPlay is smooth and user-friendly, it relies on foreign technical support and involves data privacy concerns. As a national brand, Hongqi likely prioritizes strengthening local collaborations, such as integrating with Huawei's HiCar or AliOS, which not only reduces costs but also enhances system stability. Moreover, CarPlay doesn't necessarily offer more standout features compared to HiCar—Hongqi owners have reported that HiCar is more intuitive for daily voice control and music playback. If you frequently drive long distances, you'll notice that localized systems provide faster traffic updates, saving data and improving efficiency, which is a big plus for practicality-focused users. Of course, Hongqi may adapt to market changes in the future, but for now, this decision seems quite reasonable.
From a user's perspective, let me share my thoughts. I've driven several Hongqi models, none of which had CarPlay functionality. The reason might be quite simple: it's not a necessity in the Chinese market. Most drivers prefer using Baidu CarLife or directly connecting their phones via Bluetooth, as these local solutions better understand domestic road conditions and habits – like supporting WeChat navigation or real-time bus information. Hongqi's target demographic is primarily mid-to-high-end business professionals who don't have strong brand loyalty towards operating systems but prioritize privacy and security. Apple CarPlay processes data through cloud services, which could pose potential risks. Moreover, integrating CarPlay requires additional costs for automakers, making it more practical to focus on optimizing in-house systems instead. Many Hongqi owners I've met report smoother experiences with HiCar, which even allows deep control over air conditioning and seats – functionality that leaves CarPlay in the dust. For those truly concerned about smart connectivity, I'd recommend trying Hongqi's app-based remote control features; that experience outperforms CarPlay by a wide margin.
