Filed under: Technology, Infotainment
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IFA opened to the public last Saturday, but if you’re looking for in-car tech and an automaker presence, it’s best to avoid Europe’s largest consumer electronics show.
The expo is the overseas equivalent of the Consumer Electronics Show, bringing hundreds of manufacturers to Berlin, Germany to show off everything from 3D TVs to kitchen gadgets. If you’ve endured CES before, you’ll feel right at home among the major tech companies (Samsung, Pioneer, Motorola, etc.) and the scads of Chinese retailers peddling their cut-priced wares to quality-averse electro-bodegas.
But unlike CES, which has enjoyed an explosion of automaker participation and major announcements in the last few years, only two automakers have a presence at this year’s IFA: Ford and BMW.
The former announced plans to bring SYNC to the 2012 Focus in Europe, with support for over 19 languages, plus Ford’s emergency assistance program. The 2012 Fiesta gains MyKey functionality, allowing parents to limit top speeds and audio volume, while not allowing little Danny to deactivate any of the standard safety systems.
BMW? They’ve got an inconspicuous, closet-sized booth we passed three times before we saw a minuscule ConnectedDrive banner plastered to the wall.
So what gives? Why the massive discrepancy between two virtually identical shows? In short: Europe doesn’t seem to care about in-car tech as much as the U.S. and most automakers are happy to oblige… for now.Continue reading Why doesn’t Europe care about infotainment?
Why doesn’t Europe care about infotainment? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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