The GSMA has, unsurprisingly, come out in support of the EU plan to fit a mobile phone in every car, valuing each life saved at over fourteen million quid.

The eCall system dials 112 (the EU-wide emergency number) after an accident in order to summon the emergency services, and the Commission reckons that it could save 2500 lives a year. So far the system has been voluntary, but if member countries don’t volunteer by the end of 2009 then the EU will pass legislation to make it mandatory, regardless of the cost.

15 countries have already signed up to the system, which puts a GSM mobile phone into every new car in Europe, along with a GPS system to report the current location and microphones around the car to pick up the screams of the injured. Denmark, France, Ireland, Latvia, Malta and the UK are still holding out, with claims that the system will be expensive and not good value for money.

Assuming a very conservative 200 million cars in Europe, and taking the EU-estimated cost of €100 for the phone and GPS kit, then we can calculate a total cost of €40bn, or a shade over £14m for each one of the 2500 lives saved. Some might argue that the money could be better spent, but that would be churlish.

Even the EU’s own figures, taking into account the reduction in heath care and the cost of the lives lost (based on the assumption that if the emergency services get there quicker then less medical treatment is needed) only reckons the system will save €26bn.

Of course, many cars already have GPS kit, and embedded mobile phones even feature in some of the more expensive models, so this measure would only hit people buying cheap cars.

So an EU directive that forces another 200 million mobile-phones onto the public gets endorsed by an industry association that exists to promote the use of mobile phones. Clearly an example of corporate social responsibility, as EU Telecom’s Commissioner Viviane Reding puts it:

“I congratulate the mobile phone industry for answering so promptly. By backing Europe’s in-car emergency call system, they have shown their social responsibility and openness to innovative applications of communications technology in daily life.” ®

Taken from The Register online

After all the reader suggestions by the Fast Car reader they chose to go the Stealth route and gave the 350z a matt black finish by the way of a vinyl wrap. Check out the images below to see how amazing it looks.

The Boys at Fast Car asked their readers to send in suggestions of what the In Phase 350Z should look like here they show some of the best examples:

Fast Car had been waiting a month to get their hands on these new rims from Rota Wheels. Check out the White 10″x18″ Grid wheels in the pictutes. The In Phase 350Z is sure looking good.

The boys at Fast Car decide to upgrade the suspension on the 350Z and add a great set from BC Racing, These are a great set of black and gold coilovers.

In Phase have kindly given our Nissan 350Z to Fast car to have during the summer as a staff ride. We will be posting more articles as they make changes to the car.

Come visit us at the Car + Sound show. 16th Apr - 19th Apr 2009 Koelnmesse Cologne Exhibition Centre. Hall 2.1, Booth number 21112.

Follow us on Twitter as we get the In Phase Van ready for the Car + Sound show in Cologne, Germany. Yes we will be there at the show from the 16th April to the 19th April. So come along and visit our stand to see our new demo van. You will be blown away.

To follow us on twitter sign up to follow InPhaseAudio. Just got to http://www.twitter.com/InPhaseAudio

A customised police van is being used by North Wales Police to tackle boy racers and noisy car music systems. A former speed camera van has been “blinged up” in the style of the Pimp My Ride TV show, complete with a souped-up stereo and a fly paint job.

The van, which was given its new look with the help of local suppliers, is being taken to schools and colleges.

Police said the van was among initiatives designed to deal with the potential danger of “cruising” events.

E-Cartec was the dealer who installed the car audio equipments and lighting into the Police van and we are very happy to say that they have used the In Phase brand of products throught the install. Please find a lit below of all the items that have been used in the install.

We would like to thank E-Cartec for supplying the images and also North Wales Police force for coming up with this great idea. Lets hope it reduces the amount of deaths on the roads of North Wales.