A lot of automakers are bringing new services and technology to their vehicles every year, and as ironic as it is, although consumers of the auto market tend to use their vehicle every day, they also use something else much more often – a mobile phone. It’s almost impossible to meet someone with a mobile phone that isn’t a smartphone these days, and with smartphones come apps. We have apps for everything, and now we have smart devices that can collect information for us like the Amazon Alexa and Google Home. To keep up with the technology, automobiles need to start integrating this technology, and like many other automakers who already have a head start on this, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is picking up the pace with their own interconnected platform.

Uconnect Market

They’re calling the new platform the “Uconnect Market” and is the first step to follow the recent FCA announcement about a new in-vehicle “ecosystem” using HARMAN (Samsung) and Google Technologies. Developed in partnership with Seattle-based Xevo, recently acquired by Lear Corporation, the platform will give consumers new capabilities while on-the-road. Some of these features consumers can do today with a smartphone, like using a digital wallet to act as a payment method at establishments that accept it. When it comes to getting vehicle maintenance, many companies have a website or app that provides discounts and scheduling. All one needs to do to make a reservation is call the restaurant, or if looking to skip the line, order online.

How is the Uconnect Market any different? In some ways, the Uconnect Market goes a step further. It’s not just about connectivity.

In addition to a digital wallet, vehicle owners can also enroll for a credit card that can be used at select Uconnect Market partners. FCA vehicle owners will be able to skip lines and save time by ordering (and paying for) food and beverages on the way to the restaurant, as well as place a reservation. If needing to get vehicle maintenance, consumers will have access to national Mopar service offers and can easily locate a certified Mopar service center and schedule service appointments. Many parking apps have come out for electric vehicles (EVs) to help drivers find charging spots, but Uconnect Market helps the average driver find, book, and pay for parking at thousands of garages across North America through ParkWhiz, an Arrive-powered brand. Lastly, consumers can also view a list of nearby fuel stations when needing to fuel up and can securely authorize pump-and-pay fuel at participating locations. Whether this is a pre-pay or remote payment method is unclear.

“Our customers live busy lives, and our goal with the Uconnect platform is to provide an advanced portfolio of services to make their daily drive more convenient, productive and enjoyable…This is why we are launching Uconnect Market, as we continue to ramp-up our connectivity efforts around the world with the goal of having all new FCA vehicles connected by 2022.” - said Alan D’Agostini, Global Head of Connected Services, FCA.

The Uconnect Market platform will be made available in the second half of 2019 via an over-the-air (OTA) update for model-year 2019 and 2020 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep® and Ram brand vehicles equipped with connected services and the latest generation of Uconnect with 8.4-inch touchscreens. Interested in getting Uconnect Market? Shop for a new car online with NowCar and get a new 2019 or 2020 vehicle with Uconnect 4 today.

Photo Source/Copyright: FCA Media