The number of iPod interfaces in automobiles will reach 73 million worldwide by 2011, according to research published by the Telematics Research Group. “The rapid ramp up of available solutions from automotive OEMs is a stark contrast to the normal five-year product development cycle in the automotive industry,” says Phil Magney, founder and principal analyst for Telematics Research Group (TRG). “The variety of solutions reflects the swiftly changing landscape of the mobile audio market where branded audio solutions, surround sound and mobile device integration are driving market growth.” According to TRG data, 39 models from major auto brands currently sell vehicles into the U.S. market with iPod adapters or auxiliary-input jacks. According to TRG Forecasts, demand is such that by 2011, 28 million cars in the U.S. and 73 million cars worldwide will be equipped with iPod integration solutions of one kind or another.
Automotive auxiliary inputs will expand to about 60 million cars in the U.S. and 150 million globally by 2011. Meanwhile, other technologies, such as Bluetooth A2DP, will emerge to support audio device integration in the years to come. TRG predicts Bluetooth A2DP audio interfaces will be installed in 8.5 million cars in the U.S. and 25 million worldwide by 2011.
