Michigan Buick Dealers Grow with Consumer Technology: Pandora Plays on Wheels

July 20, 2011 - PRLog -- DETROIT, M.I. – Michigan Buick dealers know how important it is to follow the needs of consumers as technology advances and become more integrated into the lives of drivers. Although some top government agencies don’t believe being completely connected is a good thing in terms of vehicles, consumers are still seeking the technology.
[Rewind: MI Dealer Customers: NHTSA Chief Says, ‘A Car is Not a Mobile Device’]
Being one of the more popular applications for music, Pandora may be used on various devices such as smart phones, tablets and, recently added, in-car technologies.
"Nearly 50 percent of radio consumption happens in the car, so it's a natural venue for Pandora," said Jessica Steel, Pandora's executive vice president of business development, to Automotive News.
Pandora has more than 100 million registered users and offers 40 free hours of listening time, which includes commercials and also offers the option to pay a small fee of $36 per year for Pandora without commercials.
There are a few automakers that have added Pandora to their in-car devices, and Michigan Buick dealers want shoppers to know they offer vehicles with the application too. In January, General Motors released photos and information about the all new 2012 Buick Verano and with it came GM’s new infotainment system, complete with Pandora integration.
The new infotainment system is called IntelliLink, and it allows passengers to connect their smart phone to the radio and stream Pandora via Bluetooth or USB. If passengers do not have a smart phone, they are still able to use the CD player, audio input jacks and XM radio, all accessible with touch screen options.
Michigan Buick dealers want integration to be as easy as possible, and smart phones are able to connect seamlessly through steering wheel controls, voice activation and touch screen operation. Also included for those customers interested in staying connected, IntelliLink may offer updates for applications such as Facebook as well.
General Motors brands that offer Pandora include Chevrolet and GMC as well. Other automakers that have Pandora in their vehicles include Ford Motor Corp., Hyundai, Toyota, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
As consumers become more integrated with their technology, the faster technology will have to catch up. With connectivity in vehicles, consumers are closer to being completely connected at all times.
MI Auto Times covers all Michigan automotive news all the time, featuring newly released vehicle recall information, relevant Michigan automaker news, vehicle ratings and comparisons, and everything else auto-related Michigan and world readers need to know.
Got a hot tip? Send your news tips to news@miautotimes.com or connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MichiganAutoTimes.
[Source(s): Automotive News, CNET, CEOutlook]