Fiat's Blue&Me Breaks Through Half-Million Mark

SLOUGH, UNITED KINGDOM – September 29, 2008: The 500,000th Fiat Group vehicle fitted with Blue&Me, the ground-breaking hands-free entertainment, information and communications system, has just been sold by the Company.

This important milestone – achieved in just two years since the technology’s launch – illustrates the growing popularity of this innovative system, which offers simplicity, functionality and enhanced safety. The unit in question was installed in a new Fiat 500.

Increasing numbers of customers are ordering the unit: it is chosen by more than 20 per cent of customers who buy a Fiat car that can be fitted with the system.

Blue&Me, developed by Fiat in conjunction with computer giant Microsoft, has revolutionised in-car communication and entertainment. It allows drivers to make phone calls and hear incoming texts on a Bluetooth-enabled phone, consult a phone book and listen to MP3 music – all without taking their hands from the steering wheel.

The technology also allows the use of Blue&Me Nav, which incorporates a pictogram navigation system, while October will mark the arrival of ecoDrive. This system uses a USB memory stick to collect information on the car's efficiency and driver’s style that – once connected to a computer – provides details of environmental performance and advice on driving to achieve lower emissions and fuel consumption.

“Blue&Me offers drivers the chance to stay in touch, find their way around and enjoy music and radio in safety,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “And it’s these features that have made the system such a popular choice for our customers. As it becomes available on more and more of our vehicles, the beauty of Blue&Me will become apparent to thousands more motorists.”

Blue&Me is available on new Fiat cars as well as commercial vehicles. The voice-activated system, integration of steering wheel control buttons and information on the dashboard display allows users to utilise any Bluetooth-based mobile phone – even in a pocket or handbag – completely hands-free.