What do consumers want in a vehicle? A lot of people think they know, but Autobytel, one of the most popular new-car buying and research destinations on the Web, decided to ask the question of its millions of monthly car-shopping visitors. Specifically, consumers were requested to review some of the most highly anticipated year-end vehicle debuts and to provide their feedback on what directions they think automakers should take (and which strategies they might want to reconsider) in 2004. Here’s what today’s in-market auto shoppers have to say about current model trends and what they’d do differently moving forward: Read more . . .
It used to be thatyou asked for directions by telephone before you started your journey. Now people are using new technology to get directions while en route. Mobile telephone provider Verizon has begun offering third-party navigation and traffic information software on its GPS-enabled phones, which could make it difficult for consumers to justify the expense of a dedicated navigation system in their cars Read more . . .
For the last 50 years auto safety advocates have concentrated most of their efforts on making auto accidents more survivable for vehicle occupants. Because of this, we have such safety advancements as airbags, auto body “crush zones,” and the greatest safety advancement of the era, the simple seat belt. While no one can doubt the efficacy of these advancements, there is another area of research and development that promises equally startling advancements to the cause of safety, and it revolves around vehicle systems that help keep accidents from occurring in the first place. Auto engineers call it “active safety,” while referring to things like airbags as “passive safety systems.” Read more . . .
Here’s an innovation–television that keeps you awake. While most of us are known to fall asleep in front of the TV set, Distribution Technologies (DistTech), a contract and common carrier, is testing a driver fatigue monitor with its fleet drivers based at the company’s terminal in Neville Island, Pennsylvania. The company has installed the Driver Fatigue Monitor (DFM) marketed by Pittsburgh-based Attention Technology Inc. in eight vehicles. Read more . . .
Sirius Satellite Radio has forged a dealto provide comprehensive traffic data to vehicles over its nationwide satellite radio network. The company has partnered with NAVTEQ, a provider of mapping and traffic data reporting services, to offer its subscribers reliable traffic information in their vehicles. The new service will provide consumers with regularly updated traffic information, such as collisions, scheduled road closings, traffic flow data, or other traffic-related incidents to help them select the best available route. Traffic information will be integrated into new in-car navigation systems combining route guidance and mapping with traffic. Initially, the service will cover 30 markets and is expected to expand to over 50 markets. Read more . . .