• The Volkswagen Group has announced that some of the carmakers under its banner will build vehicles that feature an in-car app store.
• These include VW, Porsche, and Audi, with the latter being the first to do so on some of its EVs.
• It will allow owners to download popular apps like Spotify and TikTok, directly onto their car’s infotainment display.

Last week we reported on a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Google that will see more of the latter’s services appear on future vehicles from the German carmaker. Now three more German carmakers have announced plans for the infotainment of upcoming cars, with the Volkswagen Group confirming that an in-car app store is on the way.

The Group, which comprises Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi, will begin to integrate an app store on selected models of future vehicles, with Audi being the first to do so.

“Audi is the first brand within the Volkswagen Group to introduce the new store for third party applications. Developed by CARIAD, this scalable solution is a proof point for our strategy to offer a highly attractive ecosystem for our customers. With this solution, Audi drivers will not only enjoy regular software updates but also an even more personalized infotainment system,” explained Oliver Hoffmann, CTO of Audi in a press release.

This will allow owners/drivers to download popular applications like Spotify or TikTok onto the infotainment display and begin using said app. While Spotify makes sense, are eyebrows are raised over TikTok, especially given how distracting it could be for those driving. This feature is also dependent on whether embedded SIMs exist on the vehicles, which means it will not be across all models, or at least not yet.

That said, Audi already has a number of upcoming vehicles ready to sport the feature. At the time of writing it remains to be seen which markets will gain access to the feature, with three mentioned for now.

“The store for apps will be available from June in selected models that are equipped with the latest MIB 3 software cluster, specifically the Audi A3, A4/A5, Q5, A6/A7, A8, Q8 e-tron, and Audi e-tron GT. These Audi models will be fitted with the store from the factory throughout the European market as well as Canada and the United States,” the Bavarian carmaker noted.

The addition of an app store is not the only thing this Group is working on, with more features already in the works.

“CARIAD, the group’s software company, is developing the technology stack for automated and connected driving – including of a consistent electronic architecture, a software platform, and a reliable connection to the automotive cloud – for all of the group’s brands. CARIAD is also working on driver assistance systems, a standardized infotainment platform, and a new digital ecosystem centered around the car,” the release concluded.