Car makers ignore iPod market

A new study shows that 47 percent of new car buyers across the U.S., U.K., Germany, and France already own an iPod or other MP3 player, and that 35 percent are planning to buy a digital music player within the next year. Despite this, 48 percent are uninterested in an iPod interface when they buy their next new car. Over a third of new car buyers who own MP3 players want to play their MP3 music collection through the car audio system, and although burned CDs are the most preferable method for bringing digital music into vehicles, 36 percent want to connect their MP3 player with their car audio system. Aside from regional differences, overall demand for playing in-vehicle MP3 music is very strong across the US and Europe, according to the Strategy Analytics automotive consumer report.

"Our survey shows that there is a major gap between demand and supply. Just as we've seen with portable navigation, car makers are again running the risk of delivering a major automotive opportunity gift straight to the aftermarket suppliers. Aftermarket MP3 solutions start at around $50, whereas car maker solutions start at hundreds of dollars and, generally, OEM availability and promotion of automotive digital music solutions is extremely poor," notes Joanne Blight, director in the automotive practice.

"If car makers react quickly by launching MP3 connectivity in the correct target car models, set attractive price points, and promote the benefits of having integrated solutions," she concludes, "significant new revenue streams can stay with the manufacturer, rather than being passed directly to the aftermarket vendor."

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MrVent

PT Cruiser Limited

08/23, 11:59pm, EDT

I'm glad I'm part of that 47 percent... I already got the ipod for my PT Cruiser Limited.. My introduction to the PT came at a local mall where one was on display/ I loved it from the first minute. I directly purchased one from our dealer here in Fremont. I purchased in April, and it was delivered in September. At that time, I could have sold it for $5,000 more than I paid for it, as the waiting list has stretched even longer, and the dealer was requiring a $4,000 additional payment if they delivered your car off the floor.

I drove this car for the first time on its delivery day. It was perfect in every way. Acceleration is not as brisk as my 1941 Chevy Coupe, but I've got a pumped 350 in that and it's where I go for speed anyway. I never expected the PT to be a hot rod.

Among the wonderful pt cruiser parts aspects of this care are its brakes, which are uncanny. It seems that the engineers have harnessed some kind of "anti-motion force and that is used when necessary. High rates of motion simply disappear when required. I swear to you, the brakes are phenomenal. I took a group of guys out to lunch right after I'd gotten this car. There were 5 of us (it will seat 5 large guys, honestly) and they gave me the usual hard time about my worthless Chrysler product. I commented on the brakes, which drew catcalls: they had to be shown. It was rainy and there was some standing water on the streets. When I knew it was safe, I smashed the brakes to the floor at 50MPH. The loudest critic left a 1/2" deep nose print on the back of my headrest. He didn't have a lot to say after that, or possibly we just couldn't understand him).

The styling is wonderful, the comforts are all there, the engine is zippy and easy to the touch, and all the controls are in the right places. The color is to be envied by any hot rodder, the wheels are cool, and the upholstery set with suede leather inserts to hold the occupant in place during spirited driving occasions.

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