CUPERTINO, Calif. – Apple announced deals late last week that will see Ford, GM and Mazda build iPod connectivity solutions into their 2007 vehicles.
The aggressive, but not unexpected, deal will see over 70% of the new cars in the U.S. able to connect to drivers’ iPods.
“We’re delighted that Ford, General Motors and Mazda will support iPod connectivity in nearly all of their new models,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice-president of worldwide iPod product marketing, in the press release. “Now more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration, with General Motors alone making it available on all 56 of its models, representing millions of cars and trucks.”
Ford and General Motors will feature iPod integration in the majority of their 2007 models in the US beginning later this year, while Mazda’s entire global 2007 lineup of cars and SUVs will offer iPod connectivity. iPod offerings for Ford, General Motors and Mazda provide drivers with outstanding sound quality while charging the iPod, while conveniently storing the iPod in the glove compartment.
Seamless iPod integration also allows drivers to use their car’s multifunction controls to select their music using artist, album, playlist or shuffle songs, as well as to easily skip between tracks and playlists.
Until now, iPod owners needed a cassette player in their car to take advantage of an aftermarket hookup for their digital player.
