The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

North American Telematics Market Projected to Surge to $7B By 2007

North American Telematics Market Projected to Surge to $7 Billion By 2007


The North American market for automotive telematics is poised for
tremendous growth with the integration of wireless telecommunications and
information technologies. By facilitating an interactive exchange of data
over wireless networks, telematics systems will bring vehicles and drivers
into the information age.


According to a new study by automotive analysts Frost & Sullivan (
http://transportation.frost.com ), the total North American Automotive
Telematics market rose from $60 million in 1999 to $380 million in 2000.
Double-digit growth could bring this market to $7 billion in 2007.


Automobile manufacturers are increasingly implementing telematics
technologies, from on-board navigation systems to remote vehicle
diagnostics, to differentiate their products from those of their
competitors. To maximise revenues, however, companies will need to meet
growing consumer demands.


``So far, the telematics market has been characterised by the 'push' from
automakers rather than the 'pull' from vehicle buyers,'' says Frost &
Sullivan Industry Analyst Joerg Dittmer. ``Telematics must extend its
appeal beyond technology lovers to mainstream car buyers.''


Market participants must meet real, profound consumer needs so that
telematics will become a ``must have'' feature for the average vehicle
owner. To this end, manufacturers must research consumer preferences and
develop telematics systems that are easy to use to ensure widespread
adoption.


``Fast implementation of new technologies will play a key role in
participants' success,'' says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Meenakshi
Ganjoo. ``To stay ahead in the ever-changing and evolving telematics
business, participants need to evaluate and quickly implement emerging
technologies and new products.''


Standardisation of telematics systems will help industry participants to
ward off obsolescence of technologies. Collaborative projects, such as the
Automotive Multimedia Interface Collaboration (AMI-C), could foster
development of open architecture specifications for information,
communications, and entertainment systems.

Earlier this year Frost & Sullivan completed a study of the European
telematics market, which found the market was worth 1.03 billion Euros in
2000.  Frost & Sullivan forecasts the market will grow steadily until 2004
when most volume automakers will launch affordable telematics systems
across the range, accelerating growth and propelling revenues to a
staggering 8.55 billion Euros in 2007.

Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that
monitors a comprehensive spectrum of industrial markets for trends, market
measurements and strategies. This ongoing research is utilised to
complement a series of research publications such as the European
Automotive Electric Motors Market to support industry participants with
customised consulting needs. Free Executive Summaries of all Frost &
Sullivan reports are available to the press.