Yet another new car has been released without a CD player – as drivers increasingly rely on portable digital music devices, and vehicle manufacturers waste no time in finding opportunities to save money.

The latest car to skip the CD player is the North American version of the Holden Barina Spark, the Chevrolet Spark.

Instead, personal music selections (and navigation) are accessed via a Smartphone connected to the car's USB port, with controls displayed on a large touch-screen.

Ford of North America was the first car company to make CD players optional on some models in 2011 (it was also the first vehicle manufacturer to introduce CD players in cars, in 1987).

And French car maker Peugeot announced in April its new 208 hatch would not have a CD player as standard in Europe.

Holden spokeswoman Andrea Matthews told Fairfax Media: ''There are no plans at this stage to remove the CD player from the Spark. [USB-only access] is interesting technology, but in terms of what may or may not be coming in the future, we don't talk about future product development.''

Electronics company Pioneer claims to be the first to introduce an in-car CD player, in 1984 – while Ford’s luxury brand Lincoln is credited with having the first CD player available in a car as a factory order, in 1987.

-Fairfax Australia

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