NAVTEQ anticipates strong growth in demand

19 September 2007, 5:14pm

19 September 2007 - NAVTEQ (NYSE: NVT), a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, has taken the opportunity of the IAA 2007 motor show to give a comprehensive overview of the European navigation industry. The results of several studies reveal the directions in which the navigation arena and map data are developing and the current and future expectations held by motorists regarding navigation systems.

The trend for integrated navigation systems remains strong: in 2006, the OEM navigation industry recorded a growth of over 10%, despite dwindling sales in the motoring industry. A double-digit increase is also expected for 2007. Of particular importance, the demand in the mid-range segment is continually increasing. Last year this segment was responsible for roughly half the growth in navigation devices (source: NAVTEQ Market Analysis 2007).

According to a 2006 NAVTEQ Tracking Study, approximately one quarter of motorists in the UK, Germany and France have had experience with some type of navigation device and over half indicated an integrated navigation system will be a principal purchase criterion when choosing their next vehicle. The vast majority of respondents stated the performance of the navigation system directly influences their overall satisfaction with the vehicle.

Freshness of the map data plays a key role in the user’s satisfaction with the performance of their in-vehicle navigation system and over half the respondents in a recent NAVTEQ study indicated they would like their maps updated once a year. Despite this, less than one-third of those surveyed have actually purchased a map update, indicating an area of much potential growth in the industry.


Enhanced graphic display navigation is the future

New display technologies are at the heart of tomorrow’s map data. In addition to dynamic information such as real-time traffic conditions and petrol prices, consumers are looking for advanced visual cues from their navigation systems - such as 3D imagery - to give them an accurate and detailed portrayal of the reality around them (source: NAVTEQ Market Analysis 2006). NAVTEQ is already helping set the trend with the availability of 3D city models and landmarks in addition to digital terrain models and satellite imagery.

In addition, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) will play an ever-increasing role in the future. NAVTEQ maps already contain precise data such as road gradients, bends and speed restrictions. With NAVTEQ’s electronic horizon technology, which processes information on approaching street characteristics in relation to the vehicle’s current position, manufacturers are well placed to develop efficient ADAS solutions.


“With ADAS attributes and 3D models we are already able to offer features which, according to our studies, motorists will expect in the future. We have georeferenced the visual content into the existing digital maps. This gives system vendors and application developers the flexibility to implement this content whilst accommodating user requirements and system capacity,“ says Bruno Bourguet, Vice-President and General Manager Vehicle Europe at NAVTEQ, ”The visual content conforms to NAVTEQ’s standard specification and will be made available in a global universal format, thus facilitating rapid development.“

Editorial contact:
Sue Mather
Stanhope Communications
Tel: + 44 (0)1342 833313
Email: suemather@stanhopepr.co.uk

www.navteq.com

Geo: International