April 21, 2008
BMW Bringing Google Maps to New Models
MUNICH, GERMANY – Starting with the 2008 BMW X6 and all 2009 BMW models, owners who buy a BMW
Assist Safety Plan will be able to send directions, phone numbers, and other
information from Google Maps to their car, according to www.cars.com.
Owners
will have to pre-send the information from a computer to their car, but the
idea is that drivers won’t have to print out maps or directions — they’ll be
synched with the car’s navigation. Phone numbers can also be sent and dialed
via the car’s Bluetooth system.
The BMW
Assist Safety Plan is standard on all BMW 5, 6, and 7 series vehicles and is
offered as a stand-alone option or as part of option packages on all other
models. That sounds similar to OnStar’s new Destination Download announced
earlier this month, but BMW’s plan doesn’t require the use of an operator.