Confidential.(Briefs)

Automotive News Europe,  April, 2007  

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CD? Yonder, with the 8-tracks

Is the end near for CD slots in car dashboards?

Japanese audio specialist Alpine predicts its new "mecha-less" head unit with a USB port for an iPod will eliminate dash-mounted CD units.

The first Alpine units - with only an AM/FM tuner and USB port - could be in new cars in 12 to 18 months, says Alpine's Dave Sheen, managing director for UK and Sweden. Eliminating the CD player would save weight, cost and packaging in the crowded dashboard environment.

"Deleting the mechanism makes a head unit simpler, lighter and cheaper, ...

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