Not 100% sure but… Some MBP had the light sensor on their display. The keyboard would ONLY light up if that sensor detected it was in a dark environment.
There could probably be a tweak online to manipulate that sensor or to always turn on the keyboard backlight.
GM thinks they’ll be able to make an in-house software better than CarPlay and Android Auto… I hope I can eat this words and they make it happen, but seeing the whole car industry trying to change their 100+ years way, has been entertaining.