Volkswagen (VW) plans to start offering its infotainment system, Car-Net, in the US from this year, reports Automotive News. The system is likely to be available across the brand’s product line – the automaker is yet to take a final decision on this.
Significance: The infotainment system will enable VW’s customers to equip their vehicles with features such as roadside assistance. The Car-Net is similar to Ford’s Sync and MyFord Touch software. Ford plans to launch the SYNC with MyFord Touch in the European market in the new Ford Focus Electric this year. The system is powered by Microsoft and features voice-activation functionality, mobile WiFi connectivity and an eight-inch colour touchscreen. Ford is integrating its infotainment system MyFord Touch in 2014 Ford Fiesta. Although the infotainment system offers benefits, it also adds risk as adding the hardware and software to run these features has proved to be a challenge. Ford has had to rework on MyFord Touch several times since its 2010 debut after receiving customer complaints.
Automotive News reported that VW’s brand, Audi, has introduced infotainment systems. The first VW-branded vehicle to get one was the seventh-generation Golf, which debuted in Europe in November 2012 and is scheduled to arrive in the US in 2014.
