Proton Confirms Android Auto & Apple CarPlay Coming This Year

Proton has confirmed that both Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support are coming to its cars this year.

National automaker Proton has confirmed that it will start providing both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mobile connectivity support to its cars starting this year.

According to Proton’s new R&D head, Mohd Haizam, the automaker is working closely with its tech subsidiary Aco Tech, who also supplies all the infotainment hardware to Proton cars, to bring these services into their vehicles. Surprisingly, this software update will start with the X90 D-SUV instead of the newer S70 sedan.

“Today we’re still developing AACP with our supplier, ACO Tech. It’s not on the S70, we are going for the X90, but it’s going to be on our next model, coming soon,” the new R&D boss said.

Further elaborating on this matter, Proton deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah added that part of the delay is not due to the current hardware limitations per se but also involves some licensing issues.

“Whenever an OEM produces, a licence is required. The licence needs certain approval, and of course, at the end of the day, it’s how much we have to pay for the licence. But once the licensing is resolved, we’re ready to introduce these services to one model starting this year,” Roslan explained.

The Proton X90 SUV is set to get both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support via an upcoming OTA software update

This means that the new X90 SUV is set to become the first Proton model to officially get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Owners of the X90 are expected to get an official announcement of an over-the-air (OTA) software update in the near future.

Next in line to get this OTA update is the S70 sedan, as both the X90 and S70’s infotainment units are capable of supporting this functionality. As for other Geely-based Proton models like the X50 and X70, Proton didn’t make any promises for them, citing both hardware and licensing issues as the biggest hurdles.

“I won't mention which model, but in some models, the hardware is unable to be upgraded. Although we upgrade the software, the hardware, the chip, cannot carry Android Auto and Apple CarPlay,” Roslan further elaborated.

Current Proton X70 (left) and spied Proton X70 facelift (right)

Besides both the X90 and S70, Proton also hinted that the next new model will have both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard from the factory. Although Proton understandably didn’t mention any particular name models, all evidence points towards the upcoming X70 facelift, which is due to be launched at any time this year.