AAA and Other Auto Clubs Form Global Telematics Alliance
30 August 2000
AAA and Other Auto Clubs Form Global Telematics Alliance
ORLANDO, Fla.--Aug. 30, 2000--A consortium of the world's largestauto clubs, and their affiliate organizations, today announced the formation of an alliance for the strategic development of global telematics product offerings. Alliance members are:| -- | AAA (American Automobile Association), serving 43-million-members in the United States and Canada. |
| -- | RESPONSE Services Center, LLC, the wholly-owned telematics services provider of AAA, serving members and business clients. |
| -- | ARC Transistance, representing a network of the major automobile clubs in Europe which together serve 38 million members. |
| -- | Assist Australia, representing a network of the 6.5 million-member automobile clubs in Australia, serving business clients. |
| -- | Intelematics Australia, the telematics and mobile commerce venture of the leading Australian automobile clubs. Just as the Internet explosion has fundamentally changed society's relationship with the personal computer, telematics stands to fundamentally impact the motoring experience, making driving more enjoyable, as well as enhancing safety, convenience and security. Telematics services are a natural extension of the motor clubs' long standing role as the trusted supplier of information and assistance services to millions of motorists around the globe. Telematics systems allow drivers and other users to place automatic, as well as driver-initiated requests for emergency medical assistance, emergency road service, vehicle diagnostics, travel information, anti-theft auto tracking, route guidance and travel information / reservations. Telematics systems commonly use wireless and Global Positioning Satellite data to pinpoint customer locations. Increasingly, the services also will incorporate mobile Internet and e-mail applications, and provide access to information ranging from vehicle diagnostics to audio downloads. "Growing research and development of telematics products among motoring organizations worldwide has created a benefit to collaborating on efforts and approaches," said Marshall L. Doney, vice president, AAA Automotive Services. "The result is the signing of a memorandum of understanding among the alliance members to work together to offer global solutions for the common application of this promising new technology," pointed out Ted Johnson, Chairman of Assist Australia and Director, Intelematics Australia. "This collaboration will be directed toward providing auto makers, telephone carriers and system suppliers with a global partnering solution to telematics services that will benefit car owners worldwide," Volker Knapp, chairman of the ARC Board of Directors said. Each alliance member already has successful supplier relationships with auto manufacturers and fleet service providers. In recent years, the development of telematics applications has predominantly been related to the new car market. However, alliance members believe there also are many after-market and cell phone applications with the potential to assist all vehicle owners. This initiative builds on the existing cooperation that the partners in the alliance have in managing their relationships with automobile manufacturers and other businesses. The newly created telematics alliance welcomes dialogue with potential future partners for both regional and global co-operation and suggests interested parties make contact with the alliance member serving their market. This dialogue will give the telematics industry - which has largely been technology-driven |
| -- | a stronger orientation |
The motor club alliance will be officially launched at the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems in Turin, Italy in November 2000.