Smartnav Gains Approval From Fiat Auto

CRANFIELD, England, September 16 -- Fiat Auto UK becomes the latest manufacturer to add Smartnav, the advanced satellite navigation system from Trafficmaster, to its approved accessory range. Smartnav will be offered as an option fit across all models and will be available through Fiat's 165 UK dealerships.

A simple button connects the driver to a live Smartnav personal assistant, who takes the destination details and inputs them into a central computer. The optimum route, avoiding traffic, is calculated using data collated from Trafficmaster's 7,500 roadside sensor network and is downloaded to the car within seconds. The driver is given clear step-by-step verbal instructions throughout the journey and is provided with alternative routes if further congestion occurs.

Fiat will also be offering its customers Smartnav's Touch Screen, a feature rich visual LCD display that compliments the verbal instructions and Smartnav's two optional services; Safe Speed, a safety camera alert that warns drivers via a series of beeps when they enter a monitored zone, and RAC Trackstar Plus, a GPS based stolen vehicle tracking system.

David Collis, Director Aftersales, comments:

"Fiat has always been proud to offer its customers the very latest in technology products that are not only well designed, but provide valuable and practical benefits to the driving experience. Smartnav will certainly add to all of our vehicles functionality, helping drivers get from A to B whilst avoiding the jams. I am sure that it will be a very popular option within our accessory range."

Smartnav costs GBP699 including VAT and installation across the Fiat range. An annual subscription is GBP120 and the optional services cost GBP6 a month for Safe Speed and GBP8 a month for RAC Trackstar.

ABOUT TRAFFICMASTER

Founded in 1988, Trafficmaster Plc is the UK's leading journey management company providing high quality satellite navigation, traffic data and vehicle tracking systems.

Trafficmaster's leading product is Smartnav, an easy to use, technologically advanced, satellite navigation system that guides you around the jams. Smartnav uses Trafficmaster's unique live, incident, historic and predictive traffic data to calculate the optimum route at the start of your journey and will continue to monitor the route for delays, re-routing you around jams until you reach your destination. The Smartnav service also incorporates nationwide safety camera alerts, GPS stolen vehicle tracking, emergency and breakdown service 24-hour personal assistant support.

Trafficmaster's information is derived from its unique state-of-the-art network of nationwide static roadside sensors and transmitters that gather and distribute traffic data from over 8,000 miles of motorway and trunk routes. Traffic data is then delivered to the customer through a number of screen or speech-based receivers. These include a variety of in-car products and services that include Smartnav, Trafficmaster Monitor, YQsquared, Oracle and Freeway units. Traffic information can also be obtained by phoning the 1740 service, which is run in partnership with the RAC and the UK's main mobile phone operators.

For more information please visit www.trafficmaster.co.uk or wwww.smartnav.com.