FRANKLIN, Tenn., and FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -

Connected technology. Consumers continue incorporating it into their everyday lives.

As that trend continues, established and new automobile manufacturers and dealers should take note and “provide their customers with the facilities, features and connectivity they have become accustomed to," said Metova president and chief marketing officer Jonathan Sasse.

“The connected car is no longer a futuristic luxury, but rather a real expectation and often a deciding factor among new car buyers," said Sasse, in a news release.

His company, Metova, helps businesses lead their markets and increase customer loyalty through the use of emerging mobile, web, connected home and connected car technologies.

According to the second annual survey from Metova, for consumer participants of the survey, “technology/infotainment” now ranks higher than “power, “interior design” and “seating and storage capacity” as consumers’ deciding factor in their auto purchase. Technology/infotainment is also equal to “exterior design” and “ratings and reviews.”

Also, the survey shows that when prospective new-vehicle buyers are considering their purchase, only “gas mileage,” “reliability,” and “price” are more important than “technology/infotainment.”

Another finding: Almost one out of five new-car buyers said that if the vehicle did not include the expected technology — even if it had everything else they wanted, such as price, brand, design, and fuel economy — they would walk away from the purchase.

The survey also showed a high value for bundled connected vehicle services. Two out of three respondents said that they would switch to a comparable service provider, such as music, from one they currently use simply to experience the convenience of being included in their vehicle by default.

For almost a third of car owners, their vehicle can connect directly to the Internet without the use of their mobile phone.

Almost 86% value technology as part of the new-car purchase.