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IT a priority for young drivers

Infiniti's approach will be to provide an open interface and software updates to the vehicle.

Accommodating that shift in values was a key theme at the Geneva Motor Show, from high end brands such as Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz to volume sellers such as Volkswagen. 

Infiniti's business vice-president Toru Saito says the interconnected nature of the next-gen car buyers the focus must focus on ensuring the car is a mobile IT platform. 

"IT is very important because customers are so dependent on their smart phones," he notes. "For many young customers, IT is more important than driving pleasure." 

Infiniti feels the pressure, given its target demographic is younger than that of many prestige buyers - though the extensive iPhone integration built into the Mercedes A-Class launched in Geneva shows the German company wants a slice of the market, too. 

Dealing with the fact that people change their mobile devices - and the technology improvements that brings - faster than they change their cars is a key challenge for the entire industry. 

Saito says Infiniti's approach will be to provide an open interface and software updates to the vehicle to cope with the increasing complexity of mobile devices.

Lead designer Shiro Nakamura points to the iPad as a mobile device that may well replace the infotainment system in future cars and be used for everything from satnav to audio control (the screen in smart phones is too small to show satnav and more complex visual displays). 

Download an app and the tablet device could then be integrated into the vehicle's electronics to adjust the airconditioning system and interact with other cars to alert drivers to traffic jams. "It's coming soon," 

Nakamura says, hinting that a concept version will be shown this year - and possibly as early as next month's New York Motor Show. 

That will satisfy owners with a seamless transition from home or office into the car - and also reduce costs for carmakers, who won't be required to have built-in infotainment systems.