Apple's delay in mainland launch for CarPlay could benefit rival platforms

Apple's new CarPlay technology could redefine how carmakers integrate smartphones and mobile applications into their vehicles, but its debut in the world's largest car market will have to wait.

"There may not be such a strong demand for CarPlay in [mainland] China," Sandy Shen, director for consumer services at technology research firm Gartner, said on Tuesday.

"Consumers here will not go out of their way to buy a new car just because of this technology. People will also continue to use their mobile phones without regard to safe driving."

Users can control CarPlay from the vehicle's own interface or simply push and hold the voice control button on the steering wheel to activate Siri, Apple's intelligent digital assistant program, without taking their eyes from the road.

Apple will initially introduce CarPlay in more mature car markets, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the United States, Britain, France, Italy and Switzerland.

Bryan Wang, a vice-president at Forrester Research, said: "I expect the cars with CarPlay will offer a unique selling point for a certain group of current iPhone users … in terms of boosting car sales, I doubt it."