Skip to main content

Connected navigation more popular than social media and radio streaming

In a new ABI Research connected car consumer survey, 1,500 respondents in the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, and China were asked about their use (and non-use) of several services available to the ‘connected car.’ Among those who do not currently use any infotainment services, connected navigation was named as the most desired infotainment service by between 59 per cent and 72 per cent (extremely/very interested) in all countries except China, where the greatest interest was in concierge services.
April 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSIn a new 5725 ABI Research connected car consumer survey, 1,500 respondents in the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, and China were asked about their use (and non-use) of several services available to the ‘connected car.’ Among those who do not currently use any infotainment services, connected navigation was named as the most desired infotainment service by between 59 per cent and 72 per cent (extremely/very interested)  in all countries except China, where the greatest interest was in concierge services.

Internet Radio only showed average levels of interest among non-users, even in the US where most major OEMs and aftermarket vendors are heavily focusing on multimedia streaming. Surprisingly email, social media, and networking integration scored very low. However those using Internet radio already used it often.

Telematics and navigation group director Dominique Bonte comments: ”The clear preference for connected navigation can be explained by the familiarity of users with this service. Clearly car OEMs need to build their infotainment platforms around navigation, especially as overall awareness levels about other connected car services remain low. On the other hand, the high frequency of use of Internet radio among users suggests that car owners embrace new services once they have become familiar."

ABI Research’s multi-country “Connected Car: Market Shares, Awareness, Service Preferences, Usage Patterns, and Willingness to Pay” survey was completed in 2Q 2011. Questions covered awareness and interest levels in connected car service categories and individual applications, usage patterns, satisfaction, willingness to pay, form factors, user interfaces, and safety issues.

Related Content

  • Full electric vehicle shipments to exceed 2 million by 2020
    October 11, 2013
    According to ABI Research, the number of full electric vehicles (EV) shipping yearly will increase from 150,000 in 2013 to 2.36 million in 2020, representing a CAGR of 48 per cent. Asia-Pacific will exhibit the strongest growth, driven by mounting pollution issues in its many megacities; however, true mass-market uptake will only start happening in the next decade.
  • Advanced in-vehicle user interface - future developments
    February 1, 2012
    Dave McNamara and Craig Simonds, Autotechinsider LLC, look at human-machine interface development out to 2015. The US auto industry is going through the worst crisis it has faced since the Great Depression. But it has embraced technologies that will produce the best-possible driving experience for the public. Ford was the first OEM to announce in-car internet radio and SYNC, its signature-branded User Interface (UI), is held up as the shining example of change embracement.
  • Dutch survey shows drivers are in favour of road user charging
    January 16, 2012
    'Keep it simple, stupid' is an oft-forgotten axiom but in terms of road user charging it is entirely appropriate. So says the ANWB's Ferry Smith. A couple of decades ago, it might have been largely true that the technology aspects of advanced road infrastructure were the main obstacles to deployment. However, 20 years or more of development have led to a situation where such 'obstacles' are often no more than a political fig-leaf. Area-wide Road User Charging (RUC) is a case in point; speak candidly to syst
  • Key trends and forecasts for the North American and Latin American automotive navigation and telematics services
    July 19, 2012
    According to a new report from Frost & Sullivan, the North and Latin American automotive navigation markets are on the cusp of a shift to connected navigation systems that offer real-time traffic information and local searching options. Navigation systems, whether by original equipment (OE) fitment, aftermarket, or portable navigation device (PND), are feeling the heat of competition from smartphone-based navigation applications. Low-cost smartphone replication technologies are helping navigation markets br