PR releases

Nokia, Garmin, TomTom and Motorola to outline next generation navigation strategies

Amsterdam, Netherlands (PRWEB) April 4, 2008 -- The major European navigation players are set to outline next generation growth strategies, and spark debate on the industry's future, at the forthcoming Navigation & Location Europe conference in Amsterdam.

With recent game-changing acquisitions, including the proposed $8.1 billion takeover of mapping giant Navteq by Nokia, the shape of the industry is certainly shifting, and players are positioning themselves to make the most of the huge revenue potential in navigation.

And why not? Navigation has finally penetrated the mass market, and navigation products have cemented their position as 'must have' consumer items. Industry pioneers now need to ensure that their solutions stand out to maintain their stake in the evolving market.

The increased activity in the mobile segment has also caused a stir and could be indicative of a change in direction for the entire market.

Nokia's Mark Selby, vice president of industry liaison, told Telematics Update that Nokia expects to sell 37 million GPS-enabled phones by the end of this year.

Thus, with both mobile phone navigation and LBS starting to cause a stir, 2008 is set to be a year for change. Keeping abreast of these issues and ensuring that market strategies are fresh is now absolutely critical.

Consequently, there are key questions that need to be answered. How will automotive OEMs protect their segment of the industry? What are the growth strategies for PND manufacturers? Will location-based services finally make an impact?

Henning Wiefelspuetz, Garmin's head of automotive OEM business development, and a speaker at Navigation & Location Europe, is optimistic about the future of the PND. "During 2008, we anticipate automotive/mobile segment revenues will grow 45%."

However, rapid growth and fast-paced change is as daunting as it is exciting. A host of issues, obstacles and challenges come with the territory. The transition away from turn-by-turn navigation and towards connectivity, set against the backdrop of the ongoing device battle, paints a formidable picture.

The need to address these issues will unite the biggest names in navigation and location in June. TomTom, Nokia, Garmin, Jaguar, Motorola, Orange, Navigon, O2, Panasonic, Clarion and many others will convene at Navigation & Location Europe in Amsterdam on the 4th and 5th of June.

Content providers, automotive OEMS, device manufacturers, application providers and mobile operators need to secure development strategies to move to the next generation of navigation.

Through an insightful exchange of ideas, solutions and strategies, the biggest names will outline their plans to move forward in the industry.

To learn more about the issues that these companies will discuss at the event, visit:

http://www.telematicsupdate.com/navdev