ABI: BMW takes top marks in innovation and implementation

This just in: ABI Research has ranked BMW #1 in its latest automotive vendor matrix. Second and third spots go to Ford and GM, respectively, for their SYNC and OnStar systems.

In a press release issued yesterday, ABI states that BMW offers "the most balanced approach to the connected car paradigm, combining superior embedded ConnectedDrive technology with smartphone application integration on iOS, Android, and Blackberry...”.

The BMW ConnectedDrive system is based on the QNX Neutrino OS, as is the GM Onstar system.

ABI developed the matrix to assess vendors "on the important parameters of innovation and implementation...". For details, including the criteria ABI used for evaluation, read the press release.

If you're unfamiliar with the BMW ConnectedDrive system, check out this video taken at CES 2011. It features Derek Kuhn of QNX providing a guided tour of the system's integration with BlackBerry smartphones: