National Press Release

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Among consumers who plan to purchase a vehicle in the near future, select entertainment- and connectivity-related features are among the most desired technologies for their consideration, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study(SM) released today.

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The study is designed to measure consumer familiarity, interest and purchase intent for emerging automotive technologies, both before and after an estimated market price is revealed.

The study finds that among consumers who plan to purchase a new vehicle within the next six months, interest levels are high for select entertainment- and connectivity-related features. For example, premium surround sound garners the highest interest rate among these near-term vehicle intenders (72%), while just 61 percent of consumers who plan on purchasing a new vehicle in two years or more indicate interest in this feature.

"Consumers nearing the final phase of the vehicle purchase process are often more well-versed on vehicle options and features than those in the early stages of shopping and likely have recently researched available vehicle specifications," said Mike Marshall, director of automotive emerging technologies at J.D. Power and Associates. "The increased familiarity of the possible benefits and conveniences of these technologies may lead to an increase in interest."

The study also finds that consumer interest in a navigation system is at 67 percent prior to the average market price being revealed, but falls to just 20 percent after the market price of $1,600 is known. However, among owners of premium vehicles, interest after the price is revealed is 45 percent.

Among those consumers who expressed interest in a navigation system, just one-third say they are interested in the lower-cost alternative of an off-board navigation system, which enables the driver to provide an address to a live operator and receive text or audible directions without a full-screen map integrated into a display within the vehicle.

"While the factory-installed options are considerably more expensive than an off-board navigation system, the price difference is not reflected in a proportionate decrease in consumer interest levels," said Marshall. "Among consumers who express interest in both types of navigation system, seven out of ten indicate they would choose a factory-installed navigation system rather than an off-board version--despite the cost premium."

The study also finds the following entertainment and connectivity patterns:

    --  Among consumers who listen to their portable digital music player in
        their vehicle, more than one-half use an auxiliary input jack, while
        approximately 20 percent use a wireless FM transmitter.
    --  Nearly two-thirds of consumers indicate that they would like the ability
        to listen to a portable digital music player through their
        vehicle's speakers, while 27 percent express a desire to use a
        smartphone's music capabilities in conjunction with their
        vehicle's audio system.
    --  Among consumers currently utilizing their vehicle's Bluetooth
        functionality, initial interest for a wireless connectivity system in
        their vehicle is 68 percent, compared with just 47 percent among those
        who have this feature but do not utilize this technology in their
        vehicle.

The 2009 U.S. Automotive Emerging Technologies Study is based on responses from 19,249 U.S. consumers. The study was fielded in April 2009.

Feature Interest Before and After Market Price*

    Feature                   Consumer Interest     *Interest Rank After
                                                        market Price

    Blind Spot Detection             70%                2 ($500)
    Navigation System                67%                14 ($1,600)
    Active Cornering
     Headlight System                66%                1 ($300)
    Premium Surround Sound           66%                6 ($500)
    Portable Navigation Device       65%                10 ($400)
    Hybrid-Electric Capability       61%                8 ($5,000)
    Rear-Vision Camera System        57%                3 ($450)
    Satellite Radio                  56%                5 ($12.95/mo)
    HD Radio                         54%                7 ($200)
    Collision Mitigation System      52%                8 ($17/mo)
    Personal Assistance Safety
     Services                        52%                11 ($1,500)
    Enhanced Adaptive Cruise
     Control                         51%                16 ($1,500)
    Wireless Connectivity System     51%                4 ($250)
    Head-Up Display                  48%                18 ($30/mo)
    In-Vehicle Internet Connection   48%                17 ($1,200)
    Advanced Telematics Services     44%                13 ($300/yr),
                                                        15 ($24.95/mo)
    Rear-Seat Entertainment System   36%                18 ($1,500)
    Lane Departure Warning System    35%                11 ($500)
    Automatic Parallel Parking
     System                          29%                18 ($950)

*Note: The column labeled "Consumer Interest" indicates consumer interest absent of any mention of price. The column labeled "Rank After Market Price" indicates the rank of consumer interest in features after the estimated market price of each. Price quote is listed in parentheses.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, Web intelligence and customer satisfaction. The company's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

J.D. Power and Associates Media Relations Contacts:

John Tews; Troy, Mich.; (248) 312-4119; media.relations@jdpa.com

Syvetril Perryman; Westlake Village, Calif.; (805) 418-8103; media.relations@jdpa.com

No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com/corporate

SOURCE J.D. Power and Associates