Automakers are loading new cars with an array of wireless communications and computing technologies, known collectively as telematics. But despite the unending variety of safety, convenience, and entertainment features telematics can enable, it has thus far held little appeal outside the United States; even in the United States, only 2.2 million of 17.7 million new automobiles were equipped with telematics in 2003. The number of North American subscribers to telematics services, however, is projected to increase by a factor of five over the next five years. No wonder General Motors is incorporating the technology into more than 50 of its models. And this year marks the debut on the U.S. market of cars from Japanese automakers equipped with telematics systems developed in house. Here are some of the latest telematics features from these and other car companies.

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