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Bluetooth (BT) will feature in a third of new vehicles in 2012, increasing from just 3% in 2005 according to a new report from technology and consulting firm Strategy Analytics. This report, "Automotive Communications Market: Bluetooth in 30 percent of New Vehicles by 2012," predicts that five key influencing factors have lead to a surge in automotive Bluetooth applications, and cautions carmakers not to leave this opportunity to aftermarket vendors.

Five key factors have led to an increase in integration of Bluetooth technology in automotive applications over the last 12 months: growing consumer awareness of BT; a rapid adoption of BT on cellular phones; strong automotive consumer demand for hands-free solutions; increasing availability of BT solutions in the OE and aftermarket; and legislative measures.

"Automotive pricing, promotion and product positioning of Bluetooth vs. other in-vehicle features will be critical to how take rates develop over the next two years," says Clare Hughes, Strategy Analytics Automotive Practice analyst. "As we have already seen with portable navigation, poor competitiveness from carmakers and automotive system suppliers will result in aftermarket vendors taking a greater share of the growing consumer demand for Bluetooth."

For a chart, visit Automotive Communications Market Total Shipments.