Ford, GM, and Mazda have announced that they are going to add iPod support in most of their 2007 models joining auto manufacturers Acura, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Nissan, and Volkswagen thus increasing the estimated availability to 70 percent of the new 2007 model vehicles sold in the United States. Said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford"s product and business development for electronics group, "Consumers are listening to music, they"re messaging each other, and they want to engage in all those activities in their vehicles but in a safe manner.".
This is a big deal for Apple, the maker of the iPod, who already have a 75 percent market share in the U.S. in the media player business. Having iPod support in 70 percent of cars to be sold in 2007 is a great selling point. Apple says they have sold 58 million units since the iPod first appeared in 2001.