SAN DIEGO - According to Telematics Update, apps and their varied availability will offer OEMs a new way to create brand differentiation for consumers. Josh Martin, Director of Apps Research at Strategy Analytics has also noted the correlation between the cell phone market and the automotive industry in that “apps not only drive download revenue, they impact purchase decisions, drive ad revenue and create a direct to user relationship."

Mercedes-Benz, Honda, BMW and Facebook are among the major players in the automotive content and apps space. They will come together at the Content and Apps for Automotive USA 2012 Conference here in December to thrash out new business models that will pave the way for a new generation of connected vehicles offering a heightened driving experience. An independently researched program and a collection of more than 30 speakers will address key issue in the emerging new-era of content and apps for automotive.