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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I’ve owned two toyotas… a 85 van and a 95 corolla, got 300k miles out of the first and 324k miles out of the second. never had a problem with either
Currently I own a 97 ford mustang gt and a 04′ hyundai… on the ford the transmission was replaced on a recall at 40k miles, motor blew at 60k and replaced on extended warrantee, air conditioning went out at 75 k. It’s a great ride, but it does need more maintenance. The hyundai seems well built, we’ll see.
The american car makers still have a long way to go with quality control. When they do, they’ll win the customers back.
What’s all this domestic vs. foregin car crap?
Most Toyotas sold in the US are made in US plants by US workers, with the company being owned by international shareholders and being managed by Japanese.
Most Chryslers sold in the US are in US plants by US workers, with the company being owned by international shareholders and being managed by Germans.
Okay, one company’s management goes home and watches bukakke videos, and the others go home and watch scheisse videos..sound like a real difference to me.
No Yugo integration? Apple is DOOOOOMED!
Jim wrote:
“Currently I own a 97 ford mustang gt and a 04′ hyundai…”
Apples and oranges (no pun intended). Go-fast sports cars are as cool as they are high-maintenance. A Corvette will outrun any street Honda, provided the ‘Vette isn’t in the shop.
As for the iPod in cars: I’ll take iPod integration over XM radio any day.
No, one company’s management goes home and MAKES bukkake videos, and the other one goes home to make GGG videos…
I’ve been boned hard by every american car manufacturer. My 98 Ford Explorer is rated “the worst” by consumer reports. Problems with the $1200 factory stereo, problems with the wipers, problems with the power seats and lets not forget TIRE PROBLEMS.
My father inlaw bought a 98 Isuzu Rodeo at the same time I bought my Ford. The Rodeo has 14,000 more miles (74K vs 60K) on it and has been problem free. My brother bought a 2000 Honda Odyssey which is pushing 120K problem-free miles while the air conditioner in my 98 Ford econoline took a dump at only 52K miles and cost over $1100 to repair. I bought two brand new 98 Fords and they both have sucked. I’ve had two out of three new GM cars that needed excessive maintenance. With only 14,000 miles on it the inner door panels came loose and fell off of my fathers 2 year old Oldsmobile.
My best friend has a ’88 Corolla which is pushing 240K (original engine and transmission). It burns a little oil but continues to be an extremely reliable ride for him.
They could put free iPods in any American car and I’d never buy one. I’m never buying another (supposedly) American built car. Recently while waiting to pick up my Explorer from repairs (at the Ford dealer) I noticed that the Ford Five-Hundred features an IMPORTED transmission. I wonder how much other stuff on these supposedly American cars is imported.
BTW my brothers Odyssey was built in the USA. So was my daughters 2005 Honda Element.
Those who whine about folks driving imports have their head up their bum and would probably do well to order up a shiney new piece of DELL!
My next ride will definitely be a TOYOTA. Stick it Detroit!
watching hillbillies argue over which is better Ford or Chevy is like watching people argue over which is better, crap or turds.
iPod integration for my Corvette is irrelevant. You can’t hear anything over the exhaust anyway. Toyota? Yeah, I had one once. Nice little SUV. Now I drive a Suburban instead. It needs an Apple airport to reach from one end to the other. PS, my bluetick hound loves the heated leather seats.
Detroit may be the Microsoft of the auto industry, but Tokyo is fast being found out as the Wal-Mart. Just do a little research on their labor practices.
Ugh.. to hell with the auto industry, APPLE should start building cars! At least there’d be standard iPod docks.
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Actually, one thing I can say for Chrysler is in their design department. They have some pretty cool looking cars. They’re not all my taste, I’ll admit, but they definitely catch my eye.
Conversely, Toyota/Honda can’t come up with a pleasing design to save their lives. Even their high-end Lexus/Acura divisions are pretty derivative (although the Acura NSX isn’t bad). The only Japanese company that seems to have half-a-clue is Mazda.
And don’t even talk about the Kia or Hyundai. Yeesh.
Good design will get people interested–It will create buzz. For example, I would consider buying a Crossfire Convertible as my next car. Doesn’t necessarily mean that I will buy one (I’m still a few years out from buying a new car), but they’re at least on my list of cars to look at. There’s nothing from Ford on the list and the only GM car to appear is the Pontiac Solstice. Needless to say, there’s also nothing from Toyota (MR2? Puhleez!), Honda (S2000? I didn’t think you could make a boring roadster!), or any other Asian company (though that could change with a Mazda RX-8 convertible).
It’s similar to Apple. The iMac got people interested in Apple again.
Every vehicle I’ve ever owned has been imported. From the USA.
The best American import I have ever driven has been a Toyota Tundra.
FYI to all : If I’m not mistaken the Toyota Camry and the Toyota Tundra are Made with US Labor in the US, so I don’t think they can technically be called ‘imports’. Other Toyota models are imported from Canada. Chrysler, Ford and GM all have plants in Mexico.
VW makes Jettas in Mexico and Golfs in Brazil, while BMW makes cars in North Carolina, and even Mercedes makes cars in Alabama. Volvo is owned by Ford, GM Owns Saab, 51% of Nissan is owned by Renault. (Nissan also makes cars in the US).
The automotive business is truly a global market.
In the end Ipod integration will simply be an option for all auto manufactures.
I only drive cars made by gay, godless communists. They rock.
I love my Chevy Caprice. I love my PowerBook. My roommate loves his iMac. It’s all about the passions, what you’re willing to deal with. I have an iPod hookup in my Caprice, I have an RF adapter for the Saturn and any car that I borrow, and I have places throughout the house to hook up the iPod. Both of my cars were made in America with Union labor, and they both have their problems. My friends Tundra was made in America with non-union labor, and it has problems. I work at an auto parts store (not Zone), everything has problems. The parts for an 85 Chevy pickup are going to be cheaper than the parts for a 2001 Honda Civic. What catches my eye on the road right now? The Chrystler LX platform (Magnum, Charger, and the LY [short-chassis version] based Challenger concept) is pretty hot. The G5 is pretty hot, too. If it comes down to raw-power, then Mopar rules right now, just like at the end of the last muscle-car era. Then the Japs started coming in hardcore and taking market share from the big three incumbents. The same thing seems to be happening right now, in both the PC and computer markets. The Japs had the K car at the right time, Apple had the iMac, and is getting into peoples everything with the iPod. It’s all the same forces working here, and I’m happy to like what I like, and let the rest sort itself out in good time.
MW: floor. I’m on the floor laughing watching computer geeks argue about cars. It’s like the special olympics: even if you come out ahead, you’re still retarded.
I can call the Toyota Tundra an Import if I live in Canada can’t I.
You Americans are so insular. Most people do not live in America. Get over yourselves.
vw – passatt
diesel wagon.
unbelievable.
Just bought a 2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD (Diesel 4×4) and the monthly payments on that are less than the continuous maintenance/repair costs of my prev. Y2K Jetta TDI – nice engine, electrics and interior suck! Hope you have better luck with the Passat, oh and the rubberized dash/handles comes off after a while so always wear cotton gloves…)
After much research, and distrust of stealerships (especially VW…), I ordered this from Crutchfield.com for $120
http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2005/581/h581PA11CHR-f.jpeg
So you save 1/3 of the price and install it yourself with Crutchfield’s free instructions (so thats probably another $100 savings in labor)…
Thank you for your thoughts.
So far I have had a great experience with the Passat.
There are quite a few in my home town and I have heard
nothing but the same from friends who own one.
I love it.
There is a huge difference between 2000 and 2005, and
Jetta and Passat. I wouldn’t buy a Jetta, I owned one in 1981.