Connected Cars

The number of cars with Internet radio in them is tiny now, but the IHS iSuppli Automotive Research Service predicts that there will be 24 million connected cars on the road by 2018. In the U.S. they’re predicting 11 million cars with Internet capability. By the 2012 model year, there will be over 50 models of cars with Internet capability built in. BMW, Ford, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Scion, Buick, Chevrolet and Hyundai are the brands that currently offer Internet capabilities here; In Europe, it’s just BMW and Mini.

Internet radio is a big driver of Internet in cars. A number of the existing systems, such as Ford’s SYNC, highlight the ability to get Pandora, among other services. When BMW launched their BMW Apps system last year, Pandora was the first 3rd party app approved for use.