The good news: There is still a market for fresh-off-the-assembly-line non-connected vehicles. The bad news: Unconnected vehicles are still going the way of the dinosaur.
The report comes from Edmunds.com, which picked out eight unconnected cars available in the crop of currents.
Edmunds noted that some people just do not want to high-tech features. They can be a distraction, and they can be downright unsafe.
“Car manufacturers are investing a lot of energy and resources into building more connected cars, and that’s raised some legitimate concerns about safety and privacy among consumers, even if there is little or no risk to them at this time,” says Edmunds.com Senior Editor John O’Dell. “But even if those dangers never come to fruition, some people just do not want a vehicle packed with technology, and this list should be valuable to them as they shop for their next new car.”
In highlighting eight unconnected models, Edmunds noted that it was using specs on base models and noted that connectivity may be an option.
Here, then, from Edmunds, are the eight vehicles:
* 2015 Hyundai Accent GS hatchback and GLS sedan, 1.6-liter engine, six-speed manual transmission
* 2015 Kia Rio LX, hatchback or sedan, 1.6-liter engine with six-speed manual or automatic
* 2015 Mazda Mazda3 iSV sedan, 2.0-liter engine, six-speed manual or automatic
* 2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2.0-liter engine, five-speed manual
* 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car
* 2015 Nissan NV passenger van, 4.0-liter and 5.6 liter engines, five-speed automatic
* 2015 Nissan Titan S pickup, King Cab and Crew Cab models, 5.6-liter engine, five-speed automatic
* 2015 Smart fortwo Pure Coupe, 1-liter engine, five-speed automatic
RBR+TVBR observation: No connectivity means no Pandora, no other internet audio distractions that lure people away from good old AM-FM radio.
Perhaps radio stations ought to offer dealers of these cars a few freebie ads, just to keep a steady fleet of unconnected, radio-using cars on the road for as long as possible!
