With the increasing sophistication of today's automobiles, the process of just checking for power and ground on a wire is fading away. In order to facilitate all of the new electronics and still keep the amount of hardware, wiring and connectors to a minimum, we are seeing a wide range of serial data strategies. By using this type of architecture, the total circuitry in a given vehicle can be reduced as much as 71%. 

But, much like nature, GM too hates a vacuum, so by giving the customer more accessories for the buck and keeping on board connectors down, we find more and more accessories being added. Nowadays it is commonplace to see a Cavalier with power features like windows and locks. XM radio, DVD players (and soon to come MP3 players) adaptive cruise control and so much more available on other models, none of which would be possible without serial data and modular control.

In this  Super-feature, we are going to explore what GM already has had out for a few years, what is coming in 2004 and what will be coming in the near future.