Apple expands CarPlay to 9 more car brands

In this photo taken Wednesday, May 14, 2014, Ted Cardenas, a marketing vice president with Pioneer Electronics, demonstrates the new Apple CarPlay powered by Pioneer, while navigating through the Financial District in San Francisco. Utilizing large, in-dash Pioneer LCD displays, CarPlay, featuring Siri voice control, gives iPhone users the features while allowing them to stay focused on the road. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
AP Photo/Eric Risberg
In this photo taken Wednesday, May 14, 2014, Ted Cardenas, a marketing vice president with Pioneer Electronics, demonstrates the new Apple CarPlay powered by Pioneer, in San Francisco. Utilizing large, in-dash Pioneer LCD displays, CarPlay, featuring Siri voice control, gives iPhone users the features while allowing them to stay focused on the road. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

PUBLISHED: July 2, 2014 at 10:42 a.m. | UPDATED: August 12, 2016 at 7:12 a.m.

CarPlay, Apple’s vehicle in-dash entertainment system, will be supported by nine more auto brands, the tech giant has announced.

Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Fiat, Mazda, Ram, Abarth and Alfa Romeo will include CarPlay on future vehicle models, the company said this week.

CarPlay allows iPhone users to run apps from their smartphones on their in-dash entertainment centers. After connecting their iPhone to their vehicle using a cable, drivers can send messages, play music from a variety of apps or get turn-by-turn directions from Apple Maps. CarPlay can be controlled with voice commands given to Siri, with a radio’s controls and knobs or with touch gestures on systems that include a touch screen.

Earlier this year, Apple had announced that CarPlay would be supported by Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Chevrolet, BMW Group and 14 others. It will also be available on after-market systems made by Pioneer and Alpine. CarPlay is expected to make its first public appearance this summer on systems from Pioneer and on new vehicles later this year.

CarPlay will only work for users who have a compatible radio system as well as an iPhone 5, 5C or 5S.

Google last week announced a vehicle radio system of its own called Android Auto. The system is similar to CarPlay and will be supported by many of the same automakers.