High Tech Vehicles May Provide Sales Edge

Washington DC January 3, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that high tech vehicles are picking up momentum as a way automakers can set themselves apart in a market where quality and design alone are no longer enough to persuade buyers.

According to The Detroit News, “the shift is being driven by growing consumer interest in, and willingness to pay for, safety features such as side-curtain air bags, entertainment options ranging from rear-seat DVD players to satellite radios and comfort features like heated seats.”

Among the automakers trying to gain an edge in new technologies is Mercedes, who has developed the “Driver Fitness Safety Program.” The program looks at how drivers react under several different conditions. According to the paper, “test drivers are hooked up to electrodes that record their stress level, their heart rate, their level of fatigue and other physiological red flags.”

Honda aims to have a fleet of both its Honda and Acura models outfitted with a "Safety for Everyone" package, which includes side-curtain airbags for every row and a stability control system, while Hyundai Motor Co. has started offering stability control systems and other safety options, as well.

Impovement in vehicle entertainment systems are also being researched, with automakers looking into to wireless Internet options and even in-dashboard TV screens.