Research: More cars to become 'connected'

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OYSTER BAY, N.Y., July 6 (UPI) -- Sixty percent of the world's cars will include features such as built-in Internet and smartphone connectivity within 5 years, a U.S. market research firm says.

And in the United States and Western Europe, that figure will exceed 80 percent of cars, New York-based ABI Research reported.

At present, only 11.4 percent of the world's cars are "connected," the tech market research company said.

"In-car connectivity is quickly transforming the automotive industry, enabling passive and active safety and security, and offering infotainment and connected lifestyle services to consumers," ABI Vice President Dominique Bonte said.

Most car makers are working on connected cars, with Microsoft reported developing a next generation car platform using Kinect, Windows 8 and Windows Phone, ceoutlook.com reported.