Gadgets rate high, costs don't

That's the findings of a recent JD Power survey of more than 19,000 car buyers - including the picky Gen-Y customers - in the United States, which shows mixed responses to the useage of the latest in-car devices that connect drivers.

About half of car owners surveyed us an auxiliary input jack for their portable digital music player in their vehicle, while about 20 per cent use a wireless FM transmitter.  Almost two-thirds of consumers say they want the ability to listen to a portable digital music player through their vehicle's speakers, while 27 per cent say they want to a smart-phone music capabilities in conjunction with their vehicles audio system.

Other findings show that 68 per cent of owners use their vehicle's in-car Bluetooth, compared with 47 per cent who have this feature but do not use it.  In-car satellite navigation systems also divide drivers. JD Power found that 67 per cent of drivers are interested in it but when they discover it is an extra cost option, interest falls to just 20 per cent.

Luxury car buyers were a little different with 45 per cent more resilient and prepared to spend for navigation systems even after they know the price.  Among those consumers who want a navigation system, a third say they are interested in lower-cost alternative that enables the driver to provide an address to a live operator and receive text or audible directions without a full-screen map integrated into the vehicle. 

Entertainment and connectivity related devices still remain the most desired technologies for buyers.  Premium surround sound systems garner the highest interest rate with 72 per cent saying a high-quality sound system is important.