Chrysler to offer in-car surfing

Chrysler is planning a wireless internet option in most of its vehicles from 2009.

The UConnect Web service uses cellular technology to access the internet, and Wi-Fi in the car to allow passengers to log-on.

Pricing is likely to be on a monthly subscription basis.

"It is a notion of always wanting to be connected wherever you are," Scott Slagle, Chrysler's senior manager of global marketing strategy, told the LA Times. "There's a demand for that."

The system will come with a 30GB in-car hard drive and possible access to downloadable satellite television and radio services. It can also power an in-car navigation system.

However, the systems are likely to come under attack from safety advocates as there is nothing to stop the owner going online while driving.

Chrysler explained that it urges drivers not to do this and to behave responsibly.

The announcement comes as California prepares to enact tough new laws to ban mobile phone use without a hands-free kit while driving. The laws come into effect on 1 July.

"Surfing the web is something people really don't have any business doing while they drive," said Jonathan Adkins, spokesman for the California Governors Highway Safety Assistant. "It's definitely a distraction."