"ALGORITHMS: Telematics hitching a ride to 44% market penetration"

Telematics systems are quickly becoming standard equipment on new passenger vehicles, according to ABI Research (Oyster Bay, New York), which predicts that 30 million new cars will have onboard telematics units by 2013. Telematics, such as General Motors's OnStar and Ford's Sync, benefit consumers by combining global positioning systems with wireless communications technologies for remote diagnostics, concierge services and remote door unlocking, thereby increasing safety, lessening environmental impact and providing infotainment and convenience. OnStar and Sync are slated to become standard equipment on U.S. automobiles, and in Europe eCall (an automated emergency reporting system) is being proposed as mandatory in vehicles by 2011. According to ABI Research, the wide availability of GPS technology and worldwide flat-fee data communication fees is driving the market, as are aftermarket telematics systems that offer stolen vehicle tracking, "black box" insurance-related applications and handset-based tracking and speed monitoring to help keep track of the family teenagers.
Text: http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206904781