2007 is the year of the iPod as far as vehicles are concerned. With iPods snagging 75% of the portable mp3 player market and 100% of the in-car audio functionality market for 2007, Microsoft’s poorly received “Zune” player doesn’t stand a chance. Honda, GM, Acura, Mazda, and many others are making iPod auxiliary plug and play functionality standard in their 2007 vehicle line up.
Mazda is by far the most comprehensive, with 100% of their new 2007 line up incorporating an mp3 auxiliary hook up for your iPod. With options to suit any budget and styles for every taste, this was a smart move on their part. Zoom Zoom, indeed.
If you don’t want to drive a Mazda, you can find a built in auxiliary jack for your iPod as a standard feature in the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, several Chevy models and the Dodge Caliber and Nitro, among others. It’s an option on a variety of other cars by nearly every manufacturer except Ford (Ford is trying to take market share by installing a hard drive in your car to use instead of your iPod).
This means that Apple products are taking another step toward being mainstream. I’m in the market for a new car this year and I can hardly wait to start shoping for my first Apple-integrated vehicle – how about you?
See a list of auto makers who integrate the iPod in 2007 here.
Tags: Apple, iPod, Volkswagon, iGolf, iCar
Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved