Pioneer Partners on In-Car Music Streaming in Japan

Pioneer Corp. is preparing to launch an unlimited music streaming service in Japan for owners of its aftermarket in-car navigation systems, according to The Nikkei.

Users will have access to more than 1 million songs provided by Japanese digital content specialist RecoChoku Co. Ltd. Customers will pay a flat rate of 3,000 yen ($25) per year to use the service.

Pioneer will debut the service in its high-end Carrozzeria Cyber Navi system. The aftermarket navigation system, which retails for 150,000-250,000 yen ($1,200-$2,100), will offer RecoChoku streaming free for a year.

Customers also will be able to stream music from their own smartphones into the system via a wireless Bluetooth connection. The Nikkei notes that sales of in-car navigation systems in Japan have been shrinking for three years as consumers switch to smartphone nav apps.

The newspaper says Pioneer, like other nav system manufacturers, is looking for new features and technologies to help attract buyers.