Backseat squabbling stalls internet car

Web-enabled vehicle blows a gasket...<br>

By John Oates, 23 July 2001 12:00

NEWS Media giant Vivendi is ditching its joint-venture with Peugeot to get cars wired to the web. The two companies set-up the company, called egery, in March 2000, with the aim of fitting 80 per cent of vehicles with internet access by the end of 2002. Predicted applications included map and direction software, and email and address directories. Services were due to start in France before rolling out across Europe. Nortel joined the venture in December of last year to help build the GPRS network. According to sources quoted by French newspaper Liberation, the venture stalled because the two companies failed to collaborate properly. They also fell out over how to charge drivers for the services. A request for more funding was rejected by both parent companies. Peugeot is now in talks with Ford to get the technology working, according to the paper.

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

Log in or create your silicon.com account below

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy.

Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Membership FAQ