Cars with Smartphone Integration to Reach 35 Million by 2018

Worldwide shipments of passenger vehicles able to link with a smartphone will total 35.1 million in five years, predicts the London office of ABI Research.

The firm says half the total will be compatible with Apple Corp.'s recently announced iOS in the Car, followed by 44% that are equipped with the industry standard MirrorLink system.

These technologies enable a smartphone to be controlled by the car's in-vehicle infotainment system via voice, touchscreens and/or steering wheel buttons.

ABI says it's "inevitable" that consumers will want this type of connectivity in cars, including in luxury models already equipped with full-range infotainment services. The firm expects entry-level vehicles to rely more heavily upon smartphone-based features than to build them into the car itself.