Technology Leaders by Brand: Cadillac Comes in 3rd, Chevy not far behind

[GM_Fanatic]

Based on a TRG analysis of 276 models representing 46 brands sold in the US market, BMW is the leading auto manufacturer when it comes to the deploying high technology features across their current product line. This conclusion is derived from TRG’s Technology Index – a measuring system based on the utilization of key electronics technologies emerging in cars today.

TRG’s Technology Index is based on 30 criteria in the areas of telematics, navigation, phone options, and driver assist technologies. Examples of these high-tech features include monitored telematics, navigation, Bluetooth, voice recognition, premium audio/entertainment and driver assist.

What Does This Data Really Mean?

The Technology Index is measure of technology deployment across a brand’s current vehicle lineup. While the index can be calculated on a model-by-model basis, we have calculated an aggregate brand value for this exercise. This overall brand index is based on the relative availability of technologies across an OEM’s models.

The attached bar chart shows all brands and their relative rank in terms of technology. As one could assume, the luxury brands score the highest because they have the greatest availability of new technologies and advanced electronics features.

The Technology Index is a careful selection of 30 key technologies that take into account various hardware, software, wireless, safety and assistance features. Key telematics services such as monitored telematics and LBS services, as well as HMI features such as voice input, touch control, headup display, cluster displays and voice recognition count equally.

Audio and entertainment features, such as the availability of hard disk drives, flash memory interfaces, or iPod integration have equal weight in the Technology Index, so do driver assist technologies like park assist, lane departure warning, night vision and adaptive cruise control.

What does the Chart Tell us?

The results of the Technology Index show who is a leader in the deployment of key technologies – many of which are features sought by the car buying public today. For example, device integration for the connection of portable music players and phones are available on most new model entries and have become standard criteria for car buyers. Other features such as satellite radio, HD radio, or the ability to read compressed music files are important to many car buyers.

TRG’s Technology Index is an important indicator of technology deployment and will change over time. Look for a continued movement up the ladder by Asian value brands who are adding these features at a rapid pace.

http://www.telematicsresearch.com/



Caddy coming in at number 3 doesn't seem to shabby at all. I am also very impressed with Chevrolet!

[ctaylorzl1]

Thats impressive, Cadillac comming in 3, but whats even more impressive is Chevy coming in 8th. Thats right behind all the high profile brands, Chevy is even ahead of Acura & Land Rover!

[importedtuna]

The "balance seekers" here at GMI will come up with some stretch of a reason why Toyota is so low down on the scale, and if you want to talk Lexus then Cadillac beats it, too.

[Geotpf]

Translation: GM vehicles all have Onstar and Toyotas don't.

That's what that huge blue chunk in Cadillac's and Chevy's bars means-"telematics". Subtract that, and things change dramatically.

Edit: MMM, tuna.

[ghughes]

Hey import summers eve - this is an indie study - look at the categories surveyed - onstar alone would help gm, greatly.

[importedtuna]

See? Didn't take them long...

[MBHockey13]

I think the one thing that will finally push Cadillac over the edge is Bluetooth.

I don't think Cadillac and GM get enough credit for their innovations.

I remember the car magazines blasting Buick and Oldsmobile back in the late '80s when they had that screen in the Riveras and Toronados. Now look at luxury cars today!

[RWD60]

Chevy's tied with acura, both at 55. and as Geotpf pointed out, most of thier points are from On-Star... which is a great system and good idea and definately high tech, but it's pretty much all from that 1 feature (along with chevy having fully loaded Tahoes that cost more than most Acuras, and so have similar equiment levels). and in some ways this is kinda sad for Caddy, that lowly chevy is at #8 but Caddy isn't at #1. what i wanna know is how Dodge beat Chrysler... isn't that backwards for their brand positioning??

bluetooth??? everyone's got bluetooth, even Chrysler way down at 13, so that won't add much.

[GM_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

Translation: GM vehicles all have Onstar and Toyotas don't.

That's what that huge blue chunk in Cadillac's and Chevy's bars means-"telematics". Subtract that, and things change dramatically.

Edit: MMM, tuna.

Why would you subtract a technology that GM has implemented? I do not understand the relevancy of this comment? The question is why does Toyota not even have ANY telematics?

You called that one importedtuna!

[01cavalier]

Onstar definitely does help a lot. At least GM has something up on the competition.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

Translation: GM vehicles all have Onstar and Toyotas don't.

That's what that huge blue chunk in Cadillac's and Chevy's bars means-"telematics". Subtract that, and things change dramatically.

Edit: MMM, tuna.

Why? Becouse DOHC? Vtec?

[MrMax]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

Translation: GM vehicles all have Onstar and Toyotas don't.

That's what that huge blue chunk in Cadillac's and Chevy's bars means-"telematics". Subtract that, and things change dramatically.

And if it weren't for iDrive, BMW wouldn't have won...

[RWD60]

Originally Posted by MrMax

And if it weren't for iDrive, BMW wouldn't have won...

ummm... Audi and Benz both have i-drive equivlent systems now... and i-drive just reduces buttons, it doesn't add features (or not by much).

[importedtuna]

Originally Posted by ghughes

Hey import summers eve - this is an indie study - look at the categories surveyed - onstar alone would help gm, greatly.

LOL, at least you burned my screen name which I admit was funny after I figured it out...(tuna in the slang dictionary and summers eve on google search) Deleting the GM technology to make Toyota into a winner was a good stretch, though. Can always count on the Camry buyers here to show their true colors.

[IMPALAon20s]

Originally Posted by 01cavalier

Onstar definitely does help a lot. At least GM has something up on the competition.

but they made mistake of leasing the technology to honda, IMO.