E-Commerce will again be a driver of revenue this year, rising by an expected 12%, according to research firm Customer Growth Partners.

FORBES: Consumer Sentiment Rises Ahead Of Holiday Sales: Is It Enough?

It not only offered such desktop-computer-like services as e-mail, but allowed a driver to use them without looking away from the road.

ECONOMIST: Wired cars

In markets like India, e-commerce, a key online advertising driver, is at an earlier stage of development.

WSJ: Brazil: The Social Media Capital of the Universe

While retail sales have remained a source of concern for most apparel retailers in 2011, e-commerce has been a major growth driver for the apparel sector.

FORBES: Holiday Shopping Nirvana Smells Like Teen Retail Rally

The reported concluded that such e-commerce spending on mobile devices will be the number one driver of mobile purchases.

FORBES: Mobile Payments Are Surging to $1 Trillion: Are You Mobilized?

The developments are reportedly right in line with the US government's Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Initiative, and we're sure officials are mighty proud of the E-Flare, which provides optical and acoustic warnings coupled with a force-feedback gas pedal, and E-Horn, which accepts incoming warning signals from emergency vehicles and alerts the driver via (presumably distracting) in-cabin lights and sounds.

ENGADGET: Continental telematics safety system alerts drivers of impending hazards