Drivers of the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will get a different in-car experience when General Motors begins a staged software rollout later this year. GM says the new interface is intended to feel more like a smartphone, with deeper personalization for core vehicle controls and connected services.
To change how those systems are built, GM moved its digital experience operations under design leadership. The unit is led by Sebastian Bauer, an executive who previously worked at Apple and Google and now serves as GM executive director of human interface design. He framed the restructuring as deliberate, saying, "This was all part of a very strategic, very intentional restructuring to ensure that we are best positioned to create the best possible customer experience."
Under the new approach, the software is programmed to surface relevant controls proactively so drivers do not have to step through multiple menus for routine tasks. GM cites everyday examples such as opening a garage door or answering a call, describing an interface that reduces cognitive load by putting the right information at the right moment.
The company also plans what it calls the largest visual update yet to Super Cruise, its advanced driver-assistance system. The revised driver cluster will include representations of objects, including other vehicles and pedestrians, aimed at making it clearer what the vehicle detects. "It's making sure, especially as you are in a hands-off situation, that you understand that the vehicle sees what is happening around it," Bauer said.
GM is changing how Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work with its displays. Instead of allowing phone projection to occupy the entire screen and block vehicle features, the automaker will show projection on a portion of the display so native controls and phone apps can be used simultaneously. Colin McCormick, a GM product manager overseeing in-vehicle phone projection, said, "The thought here is that these should coexist and you should get the best of both worlds." He added, "We're constantly working with Google and Apple on what else we can bring to make this even better."
The update arrives as infotainment and connectivity remain problem areas for many buyers. J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study found those systems continue to register as the least reliable parts of vehicles in the U.S. market, a weakness the new software aims to address.
GM said the redesigned system will debut on the Silverado and Sierra, with plans to expand "across the broader portfolio" over an undisclosed period. The company did not give specific timing for the wider rollout, leaving the pace of adoption across other models as the next detail to watch.
