How the Smartphone Is Changing the Auto Industry

One trend you should be aware of as an investor is that of the "connected car". Your vehicle can connect with the outside world through a dedicated modem, such as General Motors' 17-year-old OnStar service, or -- increasingly these days -- through your smartphone.

At the recent Connected Car Conference in New York City, Roger Lanctot of Strategy Analytics spoke about the role of smartphones and modems in the vehicle: Besides entertainment, they can help sell cars, route motorists, and facilitate commerce through various payment options for tolls, parking, etc. If done properly, a connected car even can save lives and make driving safer.

Our roving reporter Rex Moore attended the conference, and was able to speak to Roger about the role of the smartphone in the car. In today's video, the question of why the smartphone is forcing a move away from an OnStar-like subscription model is explored.

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The article How the Smartphone Is Changing the Auto Industry originally appeared on Fool.com.

Rex Moore has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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