NAVTEQ Maps on VW Line for Europe

NAVTEQ has reached a new agreement with the VOLKSWAGEN Group. NAVTEQ will supply digital maps for vehicles with a factory-fitted navigation system with map display as of middle of 2007. NAVTEQ started appearing on VW's in June on the mini-minivan the Touran. The Nav systems are expected to fill out the line of VW cars as well as head over to some SEAT and Skoda models.

This is an interesting development in Europe where the GPS navigation systems have higher penetration into the public than the US. This move shows that Nav systems aren't just for high end cars. Expect the same trend in the coming years in the US.

In a next step the models Tiguan, Touareg, Golf, Golf plus, Jetta, Eos, Passat, and Caddy will follow. Furthermore NAVTEQ-data will be used in the Skoda Superb and Octavia and in the SEAT models Leon, Toledo and Altea. Eventually, the data may also be used in other vehicle types. This means that the VOLKSWAGEN Group, the largest European carmaker, offers NAVTEQ’s map data in most of its models.

Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda will be introducing the new RNS 510 navigation system on a platform from SiemensVDO with integral map display. VOLKSWAGEN’s new system counts among its key features: an optimised operation concept, touch screen and improved voice output. “Comprehensive country coverage and high quality digital map data were the main reasons we chose NAVTEQ,” says Olaf Pawlitzki, Volkswagen Product Marketing. “Our dealers will also benefit from NAVTEQ’s experience in the marketing of navigation solutions and map updates. We see great potential for joint sales activities.”

Only a couple of years ago navigation was largely a high-end car model feature. By introducing navigation into car models with a high number of units Volkswagen has been helping to make navigation a product for a wide market. So the need to deliver a quality guidance experience increases as navigation is now made available to more people. Volkswagen is able to meet these growing requirements in terms of quality and functionality by offering NAVTEQ’s accurate and comprehensive geodata in most of their car models.

“By working together with VOLKSWAGEN, SEAT and Skoda we help providing optimal navigation for drivers of these popular cars,” explains Bruno Bourguet, Vice President and General Manager Vehicle Applications Europe, NAVTEQ. “In addition we are working with Volkswagen brands and their dealer networks to create driver-oriented programs that will contribute to a permanently high quality navigation experience. These efforts will raise awareness around the benefits of navigation as well as help consumers understand how to update their maps continously.”

The Volkswagen, SEAT and Skoda models following the Touran with the RNS 510 system and NAVTEQ map data are expected to roll off the production line in autumn of 2007. Customers will get one of two map country packages, depending on the region in which they buy their vehicle. The other map package can also be purchased as an optional extra. The map package for Western Europe offers NAVTEQ map data for Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and Vatican City.

The map package for Eastern Europe contains NAVTEQ map data for the following countries: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

July 9, 2007

NAVTEQ Maps on VW Line for Europe