Summary
- ByteDance and Mercedes partner to add cutting-edge AI to in-car infotainment, starting in China.
- First rollout: 2026 CLA EV this fall, a sub-$60k targeted Mercedes EV with native infotainment.
- If Mercedes favors native software, ByteDance could challenge Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
With so many different applications making the jump from mobile-only to in-car entertainment, could TikTok be next to join the war for your dashboard? That question might scare some drivers, but as a Gen Z’er, I only wish driving gave me the serotonin release that a quick scroll through my For You page does. The reality is that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and Mercedes-Benz have been working together for quite some time now, and the latest announcement from the pair makes this collaboration all the more interesting.
TikTok has been living in headlines since the start of the year, when it saw a brief hiatus from the App Store and Google Play Store in the United States due to a challenging administrative climate. But in China, it’s been business as usual for one of the world’s most popular platforms — and business is booming.
The platform is famous for its algorithmic capabilities, and now, ByteDance is looking to bring that same power to the cabin experience of new Mercedes models.
What exactly is this partnership?
Bringing algorithmic gold to your in-car experience
ByteDance and Mercedes are partnering to bring smoother AI interfaces to the brand’s in-cabin experiences, especially in China. Much like Harman and Google’s partnership, Mercedes is seeking help from tech companies to better integrate the digital lives of its customers into the cabin experience of its main models, starting with a launch set for later this fall (more on that later).
So why does this matter? Well, as of right now, if you live in the US, it doesn’t. However, for those abroad or who have a concern about the impact the international market has on the US auto industry, it means a great deal. ByteDance is arguably the best in the world at figuring out what people actually want, and tailoring their AI programs to meet those wants.
If you’re ever curious why your kids can’t stay off TikTok, their algorithmic precision is exactly why, and if that same consumer-based learning pattern gets applied to a car, the potential for sales goes up astronomically. Mercedes is striving to make the in-car experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible, and it’s utilizing the world’s best algorithm developer to achieve this.
Where you can see this at work
The first model is almost here
The first model the two have collaborated on will be available this fall in the all-new 2026 CLA EV compact sedan. This is the first in what many expect to be a new line of EVs for Mercedes, aimed at marketing itself to potential EV buyers looking to stay in the sub-$60,000 range. Although official pricing has not been released, Car and Driver predicts the CLA 250 EV to start around $55,000 and go up to $65,000 depending on the trim and options list.
I have to say, it’s a gorgeous interior, but my eyes will be glued to the review of the infotainment system. With so many manufacturers displeased with Apple CarPlay at the moment, Mercedes might opt for its native software developed in part by ByteDance as opposed to going with a larger conglomerate. Manufacturers will soon have to make a decision regarding CarPlay and even Android Auto in some cases. With carmakers already rounding up high-powered developers in the space, it’s going to get interesting as that date approaches.
Will ByteDance replace Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
It may not be a case of if, but a case of when
Car companies today fall on one side or the other with this issue — what to do with infotainment. Do they let tech giants like Apple monopolize their dashboards? Or do they try and beat those same tech giants at their own game: software development. Even the CEO of Ford, who has been one of Apple’s biggest proponents in the space, said in a recent interview that Ford was “not happy” with the first iteration of CarPlay Ultra, citing that it operated in far too much of a grey area for any large-scale manufacturer.
While Mercedes was as excited as anyone about CarPlay Ultra when it was first announced, after seeing its actual rollout on the new Aston Martin line, the German manufacturer stifled its excitement. Now, with ByteDance in the picture and overseas software relationships only strengthening, the direction that Mercedes wants to take its in-car experience is beginning to take shape. When the CarPlay Ultra drops this fall, users should pay close attention to how the native software works, and on subsequent models to come.
