Next generation of in-car tech may be sponsored by advertisers
Not surprisingly, young car buyers want their new cars filled with as much technology as possible. Specifically, navigation systems and in-car telematics like Ford's SYNC and General Motors' OnStar are highly desirable among 16-24 year-old car buyers. As it turns out, though, it is that same demographic that is least willing to pay for these features. So, what's the solution? Advertising. As we've noted before, the chances seem good that at some point in the not-too-distant future, our navigation screens will show us local spots with preference given to those establishments that have paid for placement.
Not everyone is likely to be happy about this trend. Besides the irritation of a constant barrage of advertisements, there is also a danger in letting your car know too much about you. If your vehicle were to track your movements, or even purchases made from inside your vehicle, that information could be made available to other organizations. Those concerned that "Big Brother" is watching them may not want features like this keeping their eyes on our driving habits. On the flip side, this knowledge could make for advertisements in which we're truly interested. And, would it be so bad if your car alerted you to an upcoming speed trap? Just so long as it's not installed in a certain Plymouth Fury from '58...
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 11:34AM (5/27/2008)
Give me an M3 and you can plaster godaddy.com on it as big and bright as you want.
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John 11:35AM (5/27/2008)
Great...so my desire to NOT have one more gadget in the car to distract me or fail, is going to bring advertising into my car. One of the few places I can escape the constant barrage of "BUY THIS NOW OR YOU AREN'T AS GOOD AS THE JONESES!" advertising. I'll just buy used I guess...or rip the damned things out and use the empty space as a nice crap holder.
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WetheSheeple 11:54AM (5/27/2008)
AMEN TO THAT!!!
Jarett Schneider 11:38AM (5/27/2008)
YAY! Hyundai Genesis coupe in the Ad, I would read that ad any day. I cannot wait for this car!!!
As for the post, stupid, it will never happen.
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Bah 12:20PM (5/27/2008)
What, you haven't noticed that every other electronic device that is connected to an outside network in any way has advertising on it?
I can totally believe that this is coming and I if I ever have a car with these "features" I fully intend to do as John suggests - rip the junk out of the car the day I buy it and never look back. Google maps before leaving home and a (paper) map for backup has never let me down and it is lighter than an in car navigation/distraction device.
nissanfreak87 11:40AM (5/27/2008)
and people say that cell phones are distracting
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PaulPaul 11:43AM (5/27/2008)
so dudes in H2s, on average, will see more male "enhancement" pills ads, than in any other car, right?
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IK47 3:40PM (5/27/2008)
hahaha
"hummer. now everyone will know!"
steve 11:51AM (5/27/2008)
Not if GPS use gets banned while driving.
http://autos.canada.com/news/story.html?id=3e353344-fb55-4355-abb4-1b50ef8e78f4
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StickShift 11:54AM (5/27/2008)
Apparently I'm the only 19 year old left in the country with an intense dislike of extra technology in cars...
(note, I don't have an iPod either, so that probably says something)
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Marko 12:16PM (5/27/2008)
Thankfully there are more of us out there. I absolutely despise in car nav and touchscreen devices. Lets concentrate on the driving okay?
I don't need to hear "this right turn is brought to you by Weight Watchers" while driving.
TriShield 12:00PM (5/27/2008)
Just another reason to avoid optioning factory navigation on your new car.
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yacoub 12:06PM (5/27/2008)
I can already envision the penultimate draconian buyer's agreement you'll have to sign :)
"Purchaser agrees to the following penalties should it be found that they have modified or "hacked" the navigational or computer systems to remove in-vehicle advertisements:
*Voiding of the vehicle manufacturer's warranty, subject to dealership's discretion.
*Fine of $2,000 or $1/route computed to date, whichever is greater.
*Installation of scrolling marquee sign on rear shelf offering special deals and incentives from our advertisers to vehicles located behind the owner's car.**
**In certain circumstances, dealer may choose to limit advertising to the following categories: Reptile Dysfunction, Rental Prolapse, Vowel Inconstancy, Ladder Infection, and VAG/Audi Diseases."
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LeRobert 4:11PM (5/27/2008)
At first I was like, 'what is "reptile dysfunction"?'
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. =)
Cole Mitguard 12:06PM (5/27/2008)
I love technology, you name it and I probably have it, but when it comes to my car, there is just the mechanical to flesh bond that is just amazing, and in my opinion should not be fettered with all sorts of gizmos. GPS, Radio, Ipod, ok, thats alright, but Internet? please.
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Cornholio 12:38PM (5/27/2008)
Chalk me up as one who refuses to pay a monthy sub for anything relating to my car. There's enough monthly dings to the wallet already with wireless phones and cable/satellite.
I love the idea of something like Sync, right up to the point you try and make me pay a monthly fee. I completely fail to see how OnStar is compelling to anyone.
As for in-car nav systems, they're hugely overpriced anyway, and I can get nav services for "free" on my already-paid-for mobile phone. Besides, how often do you REALLY not know where you're going such that you need nav?
I do think we as a society are going to have to do something in the coming years about driver distractions- it's already at epidemic proportions, and it's only going to get worse.
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Perry 1:25PM (5/27/2008)
Completely agree. I drive a Saturn Aura and GM keeps bugging me to renew the one year free subscription of On-Star. They even insist that I buy phone minutes even though I keep telling them I already have a mobile phone, thank you! I never even used this once!
iQuack 1:32PM (5/27/2008)
Too much crap in new cars already. Multitasking (or attempting it) is dangerous while driving and distractions should be kept at minimum.
Best to concentrate on DRIVING.
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iQuack 1:55PM (5/27/2008)
In-dash monitor should show this:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6269/nodistractionswp8.jpg
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Rick 6:31PM (5/27/2008)
Odds are it was Microsoft's idea. They've been pitching something similar for a while now.
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