2016 Honda Accord Sport interior view (Photo : Reuters)
Honda Motor Company Limited released the ninth generation of its highly anticipated Honda Accord on July 23, uniquely having a 7-inch Display Audio screen that allows drivers to utilize Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Japanese automobile giant launched the 2016 Honda Accord at its research facility in Mountain View, to unveil the ever-increasing role of Silicon Valley in the industry of automotive, Inferse reported.
Honda officials said that they wanted to release the car in the Bay Area as a way of acknowledging the important role Silicon Valley firms play in revolutionizing the way cars are driven. Furthermore, the move to unveil the new sedan in the Bay Area attributes to it being the first car to have Google's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay.
"Where else were we to launch the most technologically enhanced midsize 2016 Accord other than in Silicon Valley?" Automobile Division executive vice president John Mendel said.
With the new apps, the driver can manage functions like navigation, messaging, and audio through dashboard controls and voice commands, Techno Stream reported. However, it is notable that both the Android Auto and CarPlay function only as secondary interfaces when plugged into the car's USB port.
"Clients want their cars to be more innovatively connected to their smartphone-inclined lives, and Honda is dedicated to delivering that experience beginning with the 2016 Accord - the most popular car in the past two years for retailers," added Mendel.
It seems Honda is going global on Android in terms of connecting mobile technology with the company's cars. While other carmakers normally concentrate on developing their personal, proprietary platforms and navigation systems, Sedan Accord's new navigation system runs a personalized version of the OS similar to the initial Pilot.
The new car model will likely appear in the showrooms later this year though the price and regional supply are not yet confirmed.
Honda Motor Company Limited is the first car manufacturer to incorporate these apps since General Motors initially confirmed that most of its future models would come with the features. Hyundai is also following suite as it includes the functionality in its midsize Sonata sedan.
