Hyundai made an announcement yesterday that it was the first automaker to make Android Auto available on a production vehicle. Android Auto enables owners of Android devices to access aspects of the mobile operating system such as music, mapping and messaging while driving. It is presently launching on 2015 Sonata models with navigation and is controlled through the car’s in-dash screen, steering-wheel controls and voice-recognition system.
While Hyundai said that Android Auto eventually will be featured on most of the automaker’s vehicles and will be installed at the factory, owners of existing 2015 Sonatas with nav can add it via a software update free of charge by Hyundai dealers. The update takes about 45 minutes and can be performed during, say, an oil change or other routine maintenance, according to Miles Johnson, manager of Connected Care Publicity for Hyundai. Later this summer, owners will be able to download the update onto a USB memory drive via a Hyundai website and install it themselves.
Hyundai operates the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility in Ulsan, which is capable of producing 1.6 million units annually. The company employs about 75,000 people around the world. Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms worldwide.
Hyundai is the first to add a third-party infotainment platform like Android Auto this way. For Android Auto to work in the 2015 Sonata, a device needs Android’s 5.0 Lollipop operating system or later and an Android Auto companion app installed.
