Traffic-Enabled Navigation Systems on the Rise
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Once limited to luxury models, traffic-enabled systems becoming the norm
CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2008 - NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, announced that with the new model year introductions, nearly 70 North American vehicle models now offer NAVTEQ Traffic(TM), almost doubling the number available just a year ago*. Today, 20 percent of all North American car models offer NAVTEQ Traffic, up from 10 percent last year.
When real-time traffic began to emerge in 2005, only two vehicle models offered NAVTEQ Traffic. Since then, the demand for such systems has skyrocketed, and is reflective of an industry-wide adoption of in-vehicle, real-time traffic information. Today, 24 percent of all vehicle models in North America offer real-time traffic systems. The increase in North American vehicle models offering NAVTEQ Traffic has increased 3,200 percent from 2005 to this year.
NAVTEQ Traffic is a unique data gathering, aggregation and quality-tested solution that links up-to-the minute traffic information to map data and enables wireless transmission directly to a vehicle's on-board navigation system. NAVTEQ Traffic delivers detailed information about road construction, the speed that traffic is moving and incidents such as accidents allowing navigation devices and drivers to make smart routing and re-routing decisions.
The rapid growth of traffic-enabled navigation systems is the result of two industry trends: consumers demanding real-time traffic information; and automobile manufacturers making traffic-enabled navigation systems available on an increasing number of vehicle models. What began as a luxury feature for only the most expensive cars is now available in a wider range of autos -- from more expensive models to mini-vans, trucks and more moderately-priced vehicles.
As automobile navigation systems have become more popular, consumers have been asking for systems to include real-time traffic information. According to a NAVTEQ study conducted in November 2007, 92% of in vehicle navigation system users say they are very interested in real-time traffic for their navigation device.
The introduction of personalized, real-time traffic was a breakthrough for the North American vehicle industry in 2004, which until then had relied on broadcast traffic services, such as radio, that provided regular but not personal updates. NAVTEQ Traffic was the first to deliver real-time personalized traffic linked to the map in a navigation system.
The growth is not limited to vehicles, as the popularity of real-time traffic information for users of personal navigation devices, or PNDs, is increasing as well. In fact, NAVTEQ Traffic has become the leader in real-time traffic delivery available to over 1 million drivers via in-vehicle, portable, wireless and online navigation products and services.
"Traffic-enabled navigation is something consumers are demanding to make their daily lives easier. We're seeing an exciting level of growth by companies which are recognizing the value of making real-time traffic more broadly available to drivers, " said Howard Hayes, Vice President, Traffic for NAVTEQ. "As we can see from the increases in the number of brands and models that are introducing traffic-enabled navigation systems, this technology is becoming the norm in new vehicles."
North American Car Models Offering or Announced to Offer NAVTEQ Traffic in 2008
Acura MDX Acura RDX Acura RL Acura TL Acura TSX Buick Enclave Buick Lucerne Cadillac CTS Cadillac DTS Cadillac Escalade Cadillac Escalade ESV Cadillac Escalade EXT Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Traverse Chrysler 300 Chrysler Aspen Chrysler Sebring JX Chrysler Sebring Sedan Chrysler Town and Country Dodge Avenger Dodge Caravan Dodge Charger Dodge Dakota Dodge Durango Dodge Magnum Dodge Nitro Ferrari 612 Ford F-Series Ford Flex GMC Acadia GMC Sierra GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL Hummer H2 Hummer H2 SUT Infiniti EX Series Infiniti FX Series Infinity G Series Infinity G Series Coupe Infiniti M45 Infiniti QX56 Jeep Commander Jeep Grand Cherokee Jeep Liberty Jeep Wrangler Jeep Wrangler 4 Door Lincoln MKS Mercedes Benz S Class Mercedes Benz CL Class Nissan Altima Nissan Armada Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Murano Nissan Maxima Lexus LS Lexus LX Porsche 911 Porsche Cayenne Saturn Outlook Saturn Vue Toyota Corolla Toyota Matrix VW Tiguan About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 3,800 employees located in 194 offices and in 42 countries.
NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Traffic(TM) are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.
*Includes models planned for launch in 2008