Matt Haughey: ‘The Car Industry A/B Tested Selling a Car With and Without CarPlay and the Results Are Not Shocking’
The Honda Prologue EV is a collaborative effort between Honda and Chevrolet, essentially a rebadged Chevy Blazer EV. Despite minor aesthetic changes, its core components and even the key design are distinctly General Motors. A crucial distinction, however, is the Prologue's inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, features absent in its Blazer counterpart. Over three distinct sales periods, the Honda Prologue significantly outsold the Blazer, by 43%, 73%, and 166% respectively. By 2026, the Prologue is being purchased more than one and a half times as frequently as the Blazer it originates from. While acknowledging Honda's potentially superior brand reputation and sales prowess, this consistent trend is notable. The author highlights that the comparison isn't flawless, as brand perception could influence sales. Nevertheless, the sustained preference for the Prologue is a striking observation. The consistent increase in sales difference between the two vehicles is particularly significant. This trend suggests that the presence of features like CarPlay and Android Auto may play a substantial role in consumer choice. The data, despite potential confounding factors, presents a clear sales advantage for the Honda Prologue.