Patrick George, writing for The Atlantic under the very pessimistic headline “Enjoy CarPlay While You Still Can,” explains why GM and other short-sighted carmakers are ditching CarPlay, despite its popularity among car buyers (Apple News+ link):

Because GM’s software isn’t tied to a phone like CarPlay is, access to the full suite of software requires its own data plan—through GM, of course. (The cheapest plan costs $10 a month.) Get used to these kinds of subscriptions, regardless of what kind of car you drive. In recent years, automakers have realized how much money they can make from in-car technology: Maybe they charge a subscription fee for hands-free highway cruise control (GM has already had considerable success with that). Maybe they charge for apps that let you control aspects of the car from your phone. Or maybe they sell data that your navigation system collects about where you go and what you do.

Whatever the case, car companies are moving beyond making money only when they sell you a car. For GM, eliminating Apple as a middleman provides more opportunities to charge for things.

Just like I’ll never buy a car without CarPlay, subscriptions for driving my car are a non-starter—the idea of buying something and then paying more to use it is probably anathema to most car buyers. Imagine being unable to open your car door, start your car, or use the radio because your credit card payment lapsed.

I’m not nearly as pessimistic as George when it comes to CarPlay, though: I think we’ll see consumers voting with their wallets, and I’m willing to bet GM and other manufacturers will quietly start supporting CarPlay again.

Probably via a subscription.