September 17, 2008
Report: Bluetooth with USB Enabled Cars by 2015
By Jyothi Shanbhag, TMCnet Contributor
According to a study conducted by Strategy Analytics (News - Alert), By 2015, 73 percent of new cars and light vehicles produced will be fitted with Bluetooth, 56 percent with USB and 49 percent will have both.
The study, “Vehicle-Device Connectivity,” highlights the rapid growth in availability and adoption of automotive connectivity products in mainstream car markets, led by Ford, Fiat, Chrysler and Honda (News - Alert).
The study mainly pictures out the mainstream growth for hands-free, digital music and in-vehicle recharging applications and vehicle-device products that are well-positioned to market at optimum price points. Emerging connectivity solutions will focus on iPhones, music and location-enabled smartphones, and Bluetooth A2DP.
It also reveals software integration, HMI and the capability of vehicle-device connectivity products to support an ever-growing list of devices and device functions is the critical cost challenge. New automotive partnerships in the supply chain are required to lower development costs.
Joanne Blight, director in the strategy analytics automotive practice and the report’s author, says that studies show the optimum target price point for vehicle-device solutions is in the $200-300 range, and the rapid success of Ford SYNC, Fiat Blue&Me and others could because they meet the simple hands-free and music playing requirements of consumers at lesser price.
Blight also says, “Systems-based connectivity solutions are just not competing. It’s like watching in-vehicle navigation all over again once portable navigation devices hit the market.”
The new Strategy Analytics study predicts that the market for automotive sensors will reach $12.7 billion in 2008, a year-on year growth of 6.5 percent. This analysis shows that planned vehicle safety, performance and feature enhancements will drive automotive sensor shipments to 3.9 billion units and be worth $18.1 billion in 2015.
Strategy Analytics, headquartered in Boston, offers high-frequency market intelligence on Automotive Electronics and Entertainment, Broadband Connected Home, Mobile & Wireless Products & Systems, and Virtual Worlds.
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Jyothi Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Jyothi's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Eve Sullivan
