AUBURN HILLS, MI — With fuel prices at an all-time high, automobile manufacturers are pressed to innovate, not only in areas of fuel efficiency but in nearly every other area, all with the goal of encouraging motorists to get behind the wheel and take to the open road. Given that an increasing number of Americans live their lives in a virtual office, Chrysler is hoping that making their automobiles into truly mobile hotspots will boost not only bandwidth consumption, but car sales.The move to add UConnect Web as an option for all 2009 models is not merely a bold decision for the number three automaker, but a first for the auto industry.

With drive-time entertainment and business options expanding beyond traditional or XM Radio, the struggling industry veteran is banking on a desire to easily and conveniently access email and the internet while on the road to boost sales. With sales slumping 19.3-percent from the same time last year, things haven’t looked worse for automakers in a long time.

“It’s a notion of always wanting to be connected wherever you are,” Scott Slagle, senior manager for Chrysler’s global marketing strategy told the Los Angeles Times. Slagle knows what it’s like to get connected from his own car, because he and his family have been testing the new technology for the past few weeks, with his daughters visiting the Web from the back seat.

Ironically, the announcement arrives just in time for California and Washington’s July 1st hands-free cellphone use laws. Each law requires a headset or other hands-free device be used by drivers when they use their cell phones, in order to reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted drivers.

Naturally, safety groups view in-car Wi-Fi as a new form of evil.

“Surfing the Web is something people really don’t have any business doing while they drive,” Jonathan Adkins, a representative for the Governors Highway Safety Association observed to the Times. “It’s definitely a distraction.”

The solution that Adkins and others recommend is an utterly electronic device-free driving experience. That’s about as far from Chrysler’s potential as imaginable, given that UConnect Web is an extension of its already existing UConnect system, which integrates MP3 players into car stereos and provides Bluetooth connectivity for mobile telephones.

Chrysler reminds concerned citizens and citizen groups that the Web upgrade is not intended for drivers, but for use by passengers.

Nonetheless, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) doesn’t have enough faith in those behind the wheel to feel comforted. Simitian, who helped author the California hands-free device law insists that although Web-accessible onboard computers weren’t specifically mentioned in the law, it certainly intended to cover anything that allowed “mobile service devices” that might be accessible to drivers.

While legal issues are being hammered out, Chrysler continues to plan for a September release of its 2009 models, complete with Web option. Although cost numbers have not yet been revealed, representatives for the company indicate that the option would likely have an installation charge, as well as a monthly or yearly fee.

As for whether or not Chrysler plans to play nanny to consumer’s in-car online options, Keefe Leung, who engineered the product for Chrysler promises that “There are no limitations in content.”