To those of you who tend to favor the directions given by the map offerings from tech giants Google and Yahoo as opposed to the ones provided by your Mercedes' navigation system, MBUSA has announced today that soon you'll be able to send customized maps from the aforementioned companies directly to your car computer. 

Jointly developed by DaimlerChrysler and the two aforementioned companies, the system allows users either via computer or mobile device to plot destinations, points of interest, etc. into either Google Maps or Yahoo Local Maps, then click a "Send to Car" icon which beams the location to your car's navigation system.  The info is then retrieved via a dashboard button on the Tele Aid telecommunications system.

As for why Mercedes decided to implement a system featuring other mapping technologies? "It takes away any hassle to type in an address in the system," said Sascha Simon, manager of wireless telecommunications systems for Mercedes-Benz USA. "It opens the capability of the Internet - points of interest, any address you want to find - and connects that with the car. It's a very powerful tool."

If you're interested, the new system will be available to 2007 and 2008 S-Class and CL-Class owners as well as 2008 C-Class models equipped with the multimedia package and navigation system. For more info, head over the Mercury News for the full details.