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Chrysler and Apple announce iPod integration in over 3 million Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge vehicles

Sunday, January 8, 2006 · 12:14 pm · 68 Comments

The Chrysler Group today announced that it will be the first American automaker to provide full iPod integration as an option in most of its 2006 models, with over three million 2006 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models offering seamless iPod® integration beginning this spring. Drivers will be able to listen to their iPod through the car’s audio system, select their music by artist, album or playlist with radio or steering wheel controls and view selections on the radio’s display.

“Customers have been asking for iPod connectivity and we’re excited to make it available to so many of our vehicles in 2006,” said Randy Ewers, director, Mopar Accessories Portfolio Team in the press release. “We’re providing the largest number and range of automobiles with iPod support of any automaker, allowing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge owners to bring and listen to their entire music collections.”

“We’re thrilled that over three million Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge automobiles will offer great iPod connectivity in 2006,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing in the press release. “Over 40 percent of all cars sold in the US in 2006 will offer iPod connectivity.”

iPod is the number one digital music player in the world, providing the best way to listen to music on-the-go, at home and in the car. The iPod economy continues to flourish with accessories made specifically for iPod that range from fashionable cases to speaker systems, and 16 carmakers currently offer iPod support. For a complete list of carmakers please visit, http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar/. In addition, an array of after-market solutions are available from Alpine, Clarion, Kenwood and Pioneer for automobiles that currently do not offer iPod integration.

The optional iPod Integration Kit for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge model lines will be available to customers for the MSRP of US$175 plus installation from authorized dealerships, and will debut this spring. In addition, the solution can be retrofit to many model year 2005 vehicles. For more information on the iPod Integration Kit for domestic vehicles, or details on other authentic accessories by Mopar, see your nearest Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership, or visit http://www.mopar.com

iPod products, sold separately, are available in the US through the Apple Store online, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Related info on Apple’s “iPod your Car” webpage here: http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar/ and in Apple’s September 2005 press release: Apple Teams Up With Acura, Audi, Honda & Volkswagen to Deliver Seamless iPod Experience

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Comment Feed

68 Comments

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Eric The Red

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:21 pm · Reply

Awesome! Go Apple!
Mac Genius

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:22 pm · Reply

Apple should nextmake a deal with Chevron or ARCO/BP (or any gas co.) and offer a free iTunes song coupon with fill-up. That’d take a bit of the sting out of rising fuel costs, and raise the profile of car-enabled iPods.
ndelc

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:23 pm · Reply

Ughhh…why Chrysler. I’m glad their doing something like this but pick a better partner. Toyota or Honda I could see but Chrysler? They’d be a better match for Microsoft.
DakRoland

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:23 pm · Reply

This is particularly great news. Sadly, it’s taken the US Auto manufacturers long enough. I wonder if they’ll offer this for any models older than 2005?
joe

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:40 pm · Reply

toyota or honda, ewww, can’t wait for ford and gm to support ipod. go chrysler…
macnut222

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:45 pm · Reply

“Ughhh…why Chrysler. I’m glad their doing something like this but pick a better partner. Toyota or Honda I could see but Chrysler? They’d be a better match for Microsoft.”

Honda is already partnering with Apple. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/sep/07ipod_auto.html

Along with BMW (the first one), Mercedes-Benz (the other half of the Daimler-Chrysler), Volkwagen, Volvo, Mini, Nissan and others. http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar/

Not to mention the third-party solutions you can buy if your car didn’t come with a built-in solution. http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar/accessories.html

Personally, I think that the more companies that get on board with the “iPod your car” program, the better it is for the iPod platform.
Djenurm

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 1:53 pm · Reply

Ndelc

I am impressed with your support for american auto manufacturers.

<end sarcasm>

When I see some dude all proud to be in his new toyota camry all I can think is “what a wuss”
iSteve

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:03 pm · Reply

My Scion is iPod connected — most likely the least expensive car to offer an iPod connection ($14K out the door). Scion is a Toyota product.

We want Chrysler and all other makes to include iPod connections regardless of how we feel about that brand. This will build a strong base for the connection type and for iPod. My Scion also includes an audio-in jack for other MP3 players but with that you can’t control the unit from the stereo or steering wheel.

I like the gas company idea suggested above. The redemption code could print on the receipt much the same way the car wash code does.
macnut222

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:06 pm · Reply

“When I see some dude all proud to be in his new toyota camry all I can think is ‘what a wuss’”

Why?
iSteve

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:10 pm · Reply

I just used the links provided and looked at the BMW/iPod website. It hasn’t been updated since it was introduced, it talks about the no longer current iPod mini.

With the BMW system you also had to create five special BMW playlists and call them BMW-1, BMW2, and so on. I wonder if that is still true? My Scion with its standard Pioneer stereo will recognize any playlist on my iPod — much better than the BMW system. Maybe BMW has updated their stereos so this is no longer true but if so they need to update the website to reflect the change.
torn80

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:15 pm · Reply

Trust me, Chrysler needs a reason for people to buy their crap, so I hope this helps them a bit. I do wish my vehicle had iPod integration. I need a new car.
nuffsed

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:30 pm · Reply

Yeah, Chrysler sucks, but I’m all for adding to the iPod boost.

BMW may have been the first, but they are about the lamest. I can’t tell yet if they are going to make a surge to integrate the iPod even more or if they are going to drop the idea all together. You would think that since they had the original vision that they would stick with it, but they have omitted iPod integration in the 2006 3 Series, which I think is their most recently redesigned model–not a good sign. They have instead added a simple jack that any mp3 could be connected through (as if there were really any others to choose from).

Get with it BMW. If you’re going to lead, then lead. Integrate the iPod with video into the DVD entertainment center in all of your model lines. That would set you apart from the competition.

MW: mean. Does this mean that we’ll see integration of the future Apple PDA into cars when the time comes? Maps, calendar events, phone books–I can’t wait.
Santa

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:30 pm · Reply

can anyone say HEMI ?
joe

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:32 pm · Reply

obviously toyota and honda also needed reasons for people to buy their crap also
Voltairecim

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:35 pm · Reply

That article makes it sound like Chrysler has 3 million available models that they sell. As if iPod integration is gonna sell more Chrysler crap…well more than likely some will.
matt

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:36 pm · Reply

“‘When I see some dude all proud to be in his new toyota camry all I can think is ‘what a wuss”

Why?”

Because the camry runs on a platform that’s 10 years old and is one of the worst performers in the class (although it’s going to be redesigned next year). People just like it because it’s popular (benign), and reliable, which actually isn’t true because Toyota is increasing production so rapidly (record recall numbers the past three years).

Only idiots buy that car. Oh, and it’s ugly.
MacDude

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:38 pm · Reply

WHAT ABOUT viPOD INTEGRATION!!!

I want to be able to watch Girls Gone Wild on my SUV’s headup up display going 75 mph on the Turnpike.

HEADS UP!!! LOL.
ndelc

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:38 pm · Reply

Djenurm,

When American car companies start making decent cars again, I’ll gladly support them.

If you think someone is a “wuss” for driving a Camry (which, as a matter of fact, I do own), that really says a lot about you. I’d love to know what you drive. Judging by your post I have an idea.

I own a Toyota Camry and Honda Civic for the same reason I own Macs. They’re built incredibly well by people passionate about what they do. I want my car and my computer to be reliable, and not force me to spend a lot of time in the shop, or having to mess around to get it to work.

I don’t have a problem supporting these companies even if they aren’t American because they employ Americans, pay them very well, and give them better working conditions than American car companies do.
joe

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:40 pm · Reply

foreign car fanatics are almost as lame as microsoft supporters
ndelc

Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 2:46 pm · Reply

Matt,

The Camry has been consistently one of the most reliable cars in production since it came out in the early 80s. Don’t give me this crap about recalls. Every company that mass produces anything has them from time to time.

As for your opinion that it’s ugly, all I can say is, to each is own. Personally, when I buy a car, I look at reliability and value first and foremost.