For the second straight year, BMW vehicles have been selected as having the most technical features of any nameplate, according to an analysis by Telematics Research  Group, a Minneapolis-based consulting and research company.

The ratings are based on the availability of 32 technology features across six categories: telematics, phone, head unit, audio, radio, video, and driver assist features.

BMW is followed by Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, Infiniti, Hummer, Buick, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Lexus and Mini. Buick moved up five spots and Lexus dropped five spots from their positions on the list in 2007.

TRG ranks Chrysler vehicles 19th in terms of technical features. The top Ford brand is Lincoln at 23rd. Isuzu is the lowest-rated brand, with other non-techie makes including Kia, Smart and Suzuki. European brands far outpaced those from other markets.

U.S. makes were a distant second but still averaged far ahead of Japanese and South Korean marques.

TRG says that CD players are standard or optional on all 263 models it evaluated.

Nine in 10 models offer MP3/WMA capability, 75 percent offer premium audio systems and 73 percent have available DVD players and onboard navigation systems. An iPod interface is offered on 37 percent of the models considered, and Bluetooth capability is available in 55 percent of the vehicles.