Race for Onboard Wireless Communications

Ford has announced a deal that creates a company called Wingcast to provide in-vehicle
communications, including hands-free Internet service. It will be offered in about 1
million vehicles in the 2002 model year, and all Ford brands will have it by 2004.
Currently, there’s a race among manufacturers to introduce onboard systems. This fall GM
will introduce Virtual Advisor, which will have voice-activated phone service and
customized Net-based news service. DaimlerChrysler has not yet introduced a system and may
opt for OnStar, such as GM uses, or Wingcast.