Industry News: New Survey Shows Many Consumers Aren't Happy With Infotainment Systems

[William Maley]

What is the big problem with new cars? According to a new survey, it happens to be the infotainment systems.

 

A study done by automotive consultants SBD and polling firm Nielsen asked some 14,000 owners about features in their cars and asked which ones were the best and the worst. The ten that scored the lowest in the survey were all related in some form to the infotainment system. These included smart phone integration, built-in apps, customizable instrument panels, and voice recognition.

 

“It’s sort of an arms race -- who can have the most technology in the vehicle -- and consumers are confused,” said Nielsen Vice President Mike Chadsey at a connected-car symposium yesterday.

 

The study also showed that 43 percent of participants said automakers are adding too much infotainment tech.

 

So why are automakers adding all of this tech? Andrew Hart, director of SBD explained that automakers add all sorts of tech to draw in customers and to help boost revenue. But this might backfire as owners might go to another brand because of how bad the infotainment system was.

 

If you to improve the chances of owner sticking with your brand, just get the infotainment right, getting the right set of features that people actually want to use and making them easy to use,” said Hart.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[oldshurst442]

I am the only one on the planet to not give a damn about infotainment systems?

Am I the only one on the planet that wishes there was NO infotainment systems at all?

 

Just a good 'ol working radio and a USB port so I could use my USB key for my music is all that I require for "high tech"....

 

I dont give a damn about LCD screens...Ive got my eyes looking out the bloody window that tells me where I am going...

 

I already know where the closest gas station is to my home...or McDonald's...and if Im visiting a new city...here is my secret...I would prefer to explore the new city by myself and discover the city that way...oh boy...what a concept that is!!!!!

 

Alls I need is a 2 dollar map...no wait...Ive got internet at home...why dont I just google this shyte at home with Google Earth Street View and google what I nned to see in this city I am about to visit...and print that shyte and take it with me...oh...that would be too much trouble...

I guess families also like the idea to be connected on the interwebs to keep their kids quiet...I guess..."are we there yet" is too much for them to handle...

But...when the kids' eyes are glued watching Shrek or Frozen for the millionth time...the kids dont see what kind of scenery they are missing...its true its true...they could always use Google Earth Street View to see where their daddy was driving on their family vacation...

[knightfan26917]

I am the only one on the planet to not give a damn about infotainment systems?

 

Nope!  I don't, either.

 

I've voiced before that I find it ironic that government(s) have cracked down on cell phone usage while driving ... yet, these infotainment systems are, in many cases, MORE distracting.

 

But, what do I know?

 

 

Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

"It's coming down to nothing more than apathy" __ The Fray __ 'Over My Head'

[regfootball]

This is why CarPlay compatibility will be good for the entertainment and phone. Climate should hVe redundant physical buttons. Radios should have volume seek And scan bass treble and fade physical buttons.

[oldshurst442]

 

I am the only one on the planet to not give a damn about infotainment systems?

 

Nope!  I don't, either.

 

I've voiced before that I find it ironic that government(s) have cracked down on cell phone usage while driving ... yet, these infotainment systems are, in many cases, MORE distracting.

 

But, what do I know?

 

 

Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

"It's coming down to nothing more than apathy" __ The Fray __ 'Over My Head'

 

Many people have voiced this about infotainment systems being more distracting than cell phones...

I have a feeling the government is letting that go...because

 

WARNING...CONSPIRACY ALERT

 

because I think the world's leaders are secretly pushing for autonomous vehicles...so they are letting the automakers perfect the infotainment systems with all the safety nannies such as lane departure systems...and all that goes into infotainment systems because eventually...humans wont be driving...computers will be.

[Robert Hall]

From a usability perspective, I don't see much improvement in usability in car audio interfaces from 15 years ago...my two 15 yr old cars have simple set ups that work just fine--cassette (don't that any more), single or multiple CD player, easy to use knobs and buttons, redundant steering wheel controls for volume, station, mode..no touch screens, only extras I'd like would be an AUX jack or USB connection..

[knightfan26917]

Many people have voiced this about infotainment systems being more distracting than cell phones...

 

I have a feeling the government is letting that go...because

 

WARNING...CONSPIRACY ALERT

 

because I think the world's leaders are secretly pushing for autonomous vehicles...so they are letting the automakers perfect the infotainment systems with all the safety nannies such as lane departure systems...and all that goes into infotainment systems because eventually...humans wont be driving...computers will be.

 

 

You might be right.  That is very scary, at least, to me, on multiple levels.....

 

 

Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

"I'm sick & tired of being politically correct" __ John Mellencamp __ 'Peaceful World'