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Garmin Provides Telematics Navigator for Dongfeng Nissan Vehicles in China


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SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland--November 19, 2012: Garmin Ltd. , the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the CARWINGS® MINI Telematics PND (Personal Navigation Device) for Dongfeng Nissan vehicles in China. CARWINGS MINI combines Garmin's leading navigation technology with connected services such as traffic information, friend finder, news, weather, SMS and a dedicated customer service button. The detachable device will be available as a Nissan dealer option in China starting this month.

“This new partnership is a major milestone for our efforts in China and exemplifies our progress in the global automotive OEM market. CARWINGS MINI provides Dongfeng Nissan customers a top-notch telematics solution that gets them to their destination as quickly as possible while providing helpful information on the way.”

"We're very pleased to partner with leading automaker Dongfeng Nissan just five months after opening our new office in Shanghai," said Matt Munn, Garmin managing director automotive OEM. "This new partnership is a major milestone for our efforts in China and exemplifies our progress in the global automotive OEM market. CARWINGS MINI provides Dongfeng Nissan customers a top-notch telematics solution that gets them to their destination as quickly as possible while providing helpful information on the way."

Dongfeng Nissan CARWINGS MINI includes the following features:

CARWINGS MINI Connected Services

CARWINGS MINI includes several connected services to provide drivers relevant information while on the road. A friend finder feature allows drivers to share their position with friends and family, making it easy to meet up. A dedicated customer service button connects users to a support agent who can assist drivers by, for example, helping to look up points of interest or addresses and sending links back to the unit. With real-time traffic information the unit can guide drivers around congested roads and construction to help save time and fuel. Also included are several news feeds and weather forecasts, which can be read out by the unit, so drivers can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Additionally, the SMS functionality allows users to read out and dictate messages by voice.

Garmin Premium Navigation

Dongfeng Nissan CARWINGS MINI includes many of Garmin's signature features found in the company's newest PNDs. This includes spoken turn-by-turn directions, traffic rerouting, lane assistance, speed limit warnings and current speed display. Garmin's one-shot address entry via voice command allows users to enter a destination by voice by simply saying it and without going through multiple menus. Realistic 3D views of buildings and key landmarks provide drivers better orientation. Using topographic map data, the Garmin system also displays 3D terrain views of landscape elevations, helping drivers to see what lies ahead.

Elegant and Slim Design

At less than 9mm of overall thickness, the detachable unit is one of the thinnest navigators on the market. The capacitive multi-touch display allows users to zoom in and out (by double-tapping or "pinching" the map), browse surrounding areas on the map (dragging a finger), or change perspective from 2D to 3D and rotate the map 360 degrees (two-finger drag or twist).

Garmin opened an automotive OEM office in Shanghai, China, in April 2012 with a dedicated staff of Garmin associates who specialize in automotive OEM sales, marketing, product development and engineering.

Garmin's automotive OEM group provides a broad range of in-vehicle electronics for the automotive industry, including infotainment and telematics systems, navigation software, location-based services, and integrated portable navigation systems. Garmin has dedicated automotive OEM offices in the United States, Germany, China and Japan. The company has agreements with leading brands in the automotive sector such as BMW, Chrysler, Honda, Kenwood, Panasonic, Suzuki and Toyota, among others.