On the automotive side, companies like General Motors, Toyota, Honda, or even Tesla are automakers first and only make software to run their respective infotainment systems or to run the subsystems of electric cars. Ford, for example, has been making trucks for a century, but it’s decidedly not a software company. That’s why car infotainment systems are often lackluster in the usability department.
In addition to having a much firmer grasp on software than your average automaker, Apple makes its own hardware too, That means the company is familiar with how to produce complex products at scale and deliver such products in a time frame that keeps customers happy. It’s quite the leap to go from making smartphones and laptops to a 4,000 pound car, but Apple is at least very familiar with getting physical products into people’s hands.
Given the popularity of Apple products all over the world, it may just know delivery better than most companies. The same can’t be said for many major automakers, especially EV companies, where missed deadlines and overpromising and underdelivering are just par for the course.
