South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia brands have both announced a new partnership with Google that will see the integration of latter’s content and search-based solutions enabled by Application Program Interfaces (APIs) on their respective telematics platforms.

The move will enhance the new generation of Kia’s UVO eServices and Hyundai’s Blue Link with fresh features supported by the integration of Google Maps APIs such as Send to Car, Point of Interest Search and Local Search by Voice.

“We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for people to discover more relevant information to help them make informed choices — whether that’s where to go for a coffee, or where to take dry cleaning,” said Tarun Bhatnagar, head of Enterprise Geo at Google. “It’s great to see that more drivers now have access to fresh, web-based content while on the go with the Hyundai Blue Link Google Maps integration.”

Kia said that the first car to benefit from the Google-powered, second-generation of its UVO eServices telematics system, will be the facelifted 2014 Sorento crossover.

“The newest iteration of the UVO platform is a breakthrough as one of the industry’s first mobile pure app-based telematics systems, and now with the Google solutions and APIs, we take the platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer,” said Henry Bzeih, head of the connected car program and chief technology strategist at Kia Motors America. “Due to the popularity and ease-of-use of Google Maps, owners can remain confident in the technology and information being delivered to them.”

Both Google-powered systems are to be formally introduced at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 10 in Las Vegas.

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