2013 Hyundai Bluelink and Kia UVO to get Google Maps

Hyundai and Kia have announced a brand new partnership with Google that will means big things for the UVO and Blue Link systems in their vehicles.

Google will be providing quality content and search based solutions via Application Program Interfaces (API’s).

That will mean enhancements to Kia UVO eServices system and Hyundai’s Blue Link system, with the integration of such great features as Google Maps API’s.

Hyundai and Kia owners will have access to Send to Car, Point of Interest Search and Local search by Voice.

Tarun Bhatnagar, head of Enterprise Geo at Google, said that they are constantly striving to find new ways to make life easier for Google users, which could be finding a local business or just a place to get a cup of coffee.

He also noted that he was delighted to see that more drivers would now have access to such relevant information, thanks to the partnership with Hyundai and Kia.

Kia announced that the first vehicle that will see the Google integration in their UVO eServices telematics system would be the new 2014 Kia Sorento CUV.

Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist at Kia Motors America, said that the latest version of the UVO platform is an industry first in that it is one of the first pure app-based systems in the industry.

He went on to say that the integration of the Google solutions and API’s took the system to a whole new level. He believes that the new system, particularly with the addition of Google Maps, will deliver a whole new level of technology and information to the driver.

Hyundai and Kia will show off their new Google-powered infotainment systems when the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) commences in Las Vegas on January 10th.