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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Awesome! Go Apple!
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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.
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.
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?
toyota or honda, ewww, can’t wait for ford and gm to support ipod. go chrysler…
“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.
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”
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.
“When I see some dude all proud to be in his new toyota camry all I can think is ‘what a wuss'”
Why?
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”question” style=”border:0;” />
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.
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.
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.
can anyone say HEMI ?
obviously toyota and honda also needed reasons for people to buy their crap also
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.
“‘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.
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.
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.
foreign car fanatics are almost as lame as microsoft supporters
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.
Funny enough, I’ve seen more hondas and toyotas on the side of the road than any other manufacturers of cars. And I drive quite a bit. Every foreign car I ever owned had more problems than I could count, and these were brand new cars. Not to mention it always costed more to have fixed. You can believe what you want, but from my experience I find that you are wrong and appear to be a product of marketing. I also know several people who work for Toyota, and I never hear the end about how much the conditions suck, and how little they are paid. Unless you’ve personally worked for these companies, I don’t think you can claim that it is any better than a domestic car manufacturer. Now please, quit this stupid evangelizing. Get a life, go outside, breath some fresh air, whatever you do please stop bickering about something you aren’t going to change people’s minds about.
My Isuzu Rodeo was great! Never had a problem.
Made in USA.
My Dodge RAM, has had 3 recall/fixes (minor) and a few problems Made in Mexico.
Just my $.02
S
ndelc
I could not agree with you more! On all of your points!
Matt and Joe! How did you ever end up with a Mac??
Did one fall on your head?
Motorhead, I tried windows, I tried linux, I tried mac, and eventually I found the mac to have the fewest problems. I did the same with foreign cars, and they are the equivalent to the car world that windows is to the computer world.
Car wars are flame wars too! As you can likely guess, I’m a mopar fan. However, it really has nothing to do with “American” vs. “Foreign”, as even that doesn’t mean much anymore. A lot of japanese nameplates are built right here in the USA (although down south, no unions
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> I just apperciate style. Honda and especially Toyota appeal to those who need a “box of car” that gets them where they’re going, there’s nothing wrong with it. Besides, Toyota is turning into the Buick of this generation, that’s why the Scion brand was created.
I personally will never buy a Toyota. If I win one in a beauty contest, I’ll sell it.
My old boss had one a few years back. The story is that the model he had later came to develop a fault which would screw the engine. They issued a recall to have this fault fixed so he booked the car in to be serviced before any real damage occurred. Unfortunately, even though the fault had a specific milage attached to it, his car developed the problem a few thousand kms before the kms specified and screwed the motor. This occurred in the two weeks between when he’d booked the car in for servicing and when he was due to take it in. Pretty unlucky for sure.
That’s not the reason why I wouldn’t buy Toyota though… the reason is that they wouldn’t agree to pay for the repair (a few thousand dollars), or even half of it, despite it being caused by a manufacturing defect to which they’d issued a recall on.
Needless to say I would buy other Japanese brands like Subaru, Nissan or Mazda (most recently a Subaru WRX.)
That’s funny Joe, my experience has been exactly the opposite. My six year old Civic hasn’t been in the shop once (except oil changes) but the Pontiac Grand Am my wife got the same year was in the shop six times in the first twelve months.
Actually, I have several friends who work for Toyota. Two of them used to work for Chrysler. My statement about working conditions came from their experience.
I base my buying decisions on experience, not marketing. I’ve owned nine vehicles in my life. Three of those were domestic (a Ford, and two Pontiacs). All three of the domestics were nothing but trouble. The foreign cars (an MG, three Toyotas, a Honda, and a Volkswagen) were almost completely trouble free (except the Volkswagen which was the worst car I’ve ever owned). I couldn’t care less about what is most popular.
“Get a life, go outside, breath some fresh air, whatever you do please stop bickering about something you aren’t going to change people’s minds about.”
You might heed your own advice.
OK. Here’s my two cents about the ongoing car wars. I’ve been driving for nearly 50 years now and have owned the following makes of cars:
Studebaker(2), Dodge (3), Packard (1), Saab (3), Simca (2), Citroen (3), Toyota(1), Honda(1)
I’ve had good service from some and bad from others. Two of them were outrageous lemons. But the foreign cars were no worse or better overall in my experience than the domestic cars. They each had some good features and some poor ones. (oh, how I loved the ride of the torsion-level suspension in the Packard and the air-oil suspension of the Citroen).
But boil it all down, a car is only a production to provide expense and I view the automobile as a necessary evil. Especially necessary in the USA where mass transit so totally stinks.
ndelc, as I said you need to move on. Going back and forth like this is accomplishing nothing. You love foreign cars, have great experiences with them, that’s fine. Most of us could give a damn. I personally have found the exact opposite. That is the way the coin lands. For every creed of evidence you can find, someone somewhere has more than likely found something to the contrary. I personally don’t care if you love your foreign cars, or if your domestic cars were in the shop. I am sure no one else on here does either. So why you insist on continuing this discussion is beyond me. Please keep it to yourself, and unlike you I am actually going to be going outside, because continuing this discussion is idiotic and I have better things to do than continue a flamewar with a fanatic.
ndelc – DaimlerChrysler DOES make decent cars – many are based on Mercedes platforms – they are WAY better now that the Germans have taken over the company
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> A Dodge Charger, now that’s a Man’s car – err at least a man with a mid life crisis.
Toolin’ down the road in my 1960 International Harvester, my two blue tic hounds hanging over the tailgate, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings blasting over the radio from my dash mounted iPod Nano. Sweet.
Why wait for the damn auto companies, upgrade now!
Wow, and just yesterday I was at the LA Auto Show check out the Chrysler 300C Dub edition. Great news.
“I have better things to do than continue a flamewar with a fanatic.”
Really? Then why are you arguing with me? You’re the one who felt the need to attack my opinion, not the other way around.
Hey, it’s a good job nobody’s talking about politics.
Things might have become argumentative and people would be making fools of themselves trying to score points off of people who don’t think the same as they do.
Now who was it who suggested that we Think Different ?
Cars are for losers.
Real men only need two wheels.
If your in the isuraunce industry, then you will learn the concept called the LAW OF AVERAGES
Now in a sample group of 100, statistically, you can determine wats going to happen to a certian amount of people. Doesn’t matter what industry this groups are working in. 25% may die, while 34% may develop cancer and so forth. Though individually, you can’t really tell. Only in groups.
Now take this into concederation into cars and the law of average gives foriegn cars the edge.
Chrysler is owned by Mercedes-Benz.
So a division of Mercedes is doing this deal with Apple.
I just want to know if Apple will charge a 10% iPod port license fee on each Chrysler sold.
Anybody else notice how lame, the lack of,and general unimaginative the rumors for MacWorld have been?
Is Apple tapped out? Nothing new but new Mactels, new upgrades to software…and maybe a plasma tv???
It´s kind of like the hype/hope surrounding Google and its “video” service. After it was announced it´s like, so what? It´s just TV or videos on demand…that are old. A different delivery system for video…wow, am I supposed to be impressed?
That´s it for computers? Has the computer been turned into the home ATM for video and music?
Where´s the new ideas, the fantastic mind blowing really cool stuff that we were all hoping for.
All Apple is concentrating on are video and audio delivery systems – the evolution of the tv and radio and tape recorder.
But nothing new.
Doesn’t it sound gross that they’re ‘excited’ about the ipod integratiuon?
And the link in the article is bogus – http://www.apple.com/ipod/ipodyourcar/{{PERIOD}} . The {{PERIOD}} should be and actual period (or full-stop as we English English speakers call it) I think.
Sally G: either get laid or actually create something yourself.
This listening to music and whatever is just so overhyped.
I remember riding in a Jaguar sedan and it was great because it was so quiet in there. No road noise, the radio off. Quiet. So peaceful.
Botvinnik – spoken like a true loser.
When you got porn on your iPod there´s nothing more you need in life.
When I see some dude all proud to be in his new toyota camry all I can think is ‘what a wuss'”
Why? question
Answer: 8 year olds, dude!
Ford announces a partnership with Creatively to allow seamless integration of Ford vehicles with market leading iZen players and iZencasts. Sim Wong Boo Yah, chairman and CEO of Creatively in the press release, “This proves that Ford is the leading innovator in the auto industry.”
Well, I love my Maxima, extremely well built car (and fast too!). But the best, most versatile mid-sized truck on the road has to be the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. I looked at them all and yes, this truck has a known problem with its front suspension. However, I also got it with at 7 year/70K bumper to bumper warranty.
Trucks aside, take a look at the Chrysler Crossfire and say that Chrysler is not an innovator. I think of Chrysler as the Apple of the American car manufacturers. They think outside the box and strive to build decent, well priced machines. They are not the least expensive but they are reasonable for what you get.
@Botvinnik
Something tells me your aspirations in life are set pretty low if you can be easily satisfied by soley having porn on your iPod.
When I see some dude that still thinks there is such a thing as an “American” car, I think: “What an idiot.”
Chris – Well put.
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.