Because great cars and great tunes should travel together, General Motors has developed an affordable, all-new iPod adaptor; allowing music lovers to use their iPod with the factory-installed audio system in GM vehicles, beginning this fall.

The device, called "Personal Audio Link," will sell at GM dealerships for less than $160 at MSRP, plus installation. It will be introduced in October on 2006 and 2007 model year Chevrolet HHRs, already one of the industry's most personalized vehicles, with more GM vehicles scheduled to be added by the end of this year. Designed specifically for the iPod, GM expects to make the device available on all of its 56 vehicle models - mostly by the end of 2007 – meaning GM will offer the widest range of vehicle applications for iPod integration in the industry.

"We understand that people want to use their iPod whenever and wherever they want," said Mike Jackson, GM North America vice president, Marketing & Advertising. "We're thrilled to offer an awesome, seamless digital music experience to our customers across our entire portfolio of great cars and trucks."

Vehicle personalization is embedded in today's vehicle purchase and ownership experience. Nancy Philippart, executive director, GM Accessories, believes that iPod and GM vehicle personalization are a perfect fit.

"With our simple, affordable system, our customers can plug their iPod into their vehicle audio system and get what they want – clear, quality sound as well as access to playlists and artists' names," said Philippart. "Because the Personal Audio Link was designed specifically for GM vehicles, the level of integration our system offers is unmatched in the market."

The Personal Audio Link iPod adapter, about the size of a deck of cards and not visible to the customer once installed, uses existing radio software, and is integrated through the radio’s digital XM Satellite Radio band. (XM does not need to be activated for the system to work.) This provides improved sound over FM modulated systems, and better control and display over FM modulated and CD changer interface units.

The system displays song artist, title and genre on the radio display, and allows song selection by genre, playlist, artist and album. In addition, Podcasts and audio books are no problem. Personal Audio Link enables the user to store, sort and select their favorite Podcast or audio book by title. In vehicles equipped with steering wheel audio controls, those controls will also control volume.

Once the device is installed, the customer plugs the iPod into an interface cable in the glove box, where the player can be safely secured and stowed. The device also charges the iPod while the vehicle is operating.

"We know our music-loving customers have been clamoring for a system like this, but we were determined not to go into the market with one unless it was truly integrated, easy to use and affordable," said Philippart. "I think this system will be music to our customers' ears."

Personal Audio Link Key Features – At a Glance


Seamlessly connects an iPod to the vehicle’s factory installed audio system
Charges iPod when ignition is on
Choose from English, Spanish or French language for function displays
Search and display music by genre, playlist, album, artist
Use seek function to move forward or reverse within a song for up to 15 seconds
Select “shuffle” function to mix music
Sort music using “alphabetical jump” from A-Z list
Sort and select Podcasts and audio books by title
Control volume from steering wheel controls
Personalize text display in dynamic mode (radio display scrolls through artist, album, title, song, time remaining, etc.) or static mode (fixed on one display element such as artist)
Perform fast music searches using high-speed text display technology

 

If I read it correctly, if our radio has the XM then it can be retro-fitted?

 

ROTFLMAO! Yeah right! We barely have any aftermarket support.

 

Yes it can be retrofitted for our HHR's. Order it through your GM parts manager then set up a "consultation" with your Service Department for the install.

 

Captain Howdy.....give GM a break! They're at least trying to get us the equipment. The model is only a little over a year old....you can't expect full aftermarket parts to be available on demand so quickly....give it some time.

 

Using the search works very well here are 2 threads on the same thing

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...highlight=IPOD

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...highlight=IPOD

 

I know more will aftermarket support will come for our vehicle (at least I hope) but I disagree that the HHR is one of the most customized vehicles on the road. I don't see any customized HHRs in my area ever! I see bone stock ones driving around on a fairly regular basis now. The most customized vehicles I see on the road are vehicles like the Mustang, Hummer, 300C, Magnum, and H2. I wasn't saying anything bad about GM because they don't really have anything to do with the aftermarket companies choosing to make parts for our vehicles. I wouldn't say anything bad about GM anyways, I save that for Honda, Kia, and Toyota.

 

I too have noticed most HHR's in my area are the basic models. The dealers seem to be stocking only the basic models. I assumed it was because of the price....trying to keep the price down so people would buy them. I found the basic model too plain. I'm not one who has enough knowledge about customizing autos to even try it....I ordered my HHR fully loaded. I enjoy looking at the pics of everyone's customized work....and a little envious too!

 

One question... what if I have both the iPod (with this PAL) and XM Roady2 (through the mini jack) on? What would happen then?

 

Uhhhh ... your gas mileage drops to 20mpg

JK- I'm sure they'll only allow 1 aux input to work at a time ... somehow.