I t may not be as slick an iPod-in-car implementation as BMW or Mercedes, but General Motors has decided to take the low-road and will start including a line-in jack on the stereos found in a handful of its vehicles this years.
A testament to how ubiquitous iPod has become with FM transmitters and line-in devices, the GM press release is titled "Chevy HHR Will Make It Simple To Bring iPod Along For The Ride."
Along with the new Chevy HHR, radios featuring the new auxiliary input jack be standard equipment on 2006 models of the Chevy Impala and Monte Carl, Saturn VUE and ION, Pontiac Solstice, Buick Lucerne, and Cadillac DTS. GM says the the radios will be fitted to other new models over the next several years.
"General Motors has a long tradition of leading with technology that provides real benefits to our customers," said Mark LaNeve, GM North America vice president, sales, service and marketing in the press release. "We are excited to be part of the iPod revolution by offering our customers an easy way to play their favorite music in their GM cars and trucks."