Cars and trucks have always had close links to retail and retail innovation — for starters, just think of drive-thrus and curbside pickup. Those links promise to get even tighter and more numerous with the rise of the connected car ecosystem and also autonomous vehicles. The latest development on that front comes from Waymo…

The retail stakes involved when it comes automotive in the coming years — and decades — are nothing short of tremendous. A view at the situation involved commerce and connected vehicles — which still require drivers — shows why.

Sixty-four million cars featuring connected tech are expected to ship by the end of the year, according to the PYMNTS Commerce Connected Playbook. Many automakers are already looking into tools and mobile apps to add to the experiences of drivers through infotainment systems. At the same time, connected cars are impacting how quick-service restaurants (QSRs) look at their relationships with diners.
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