Built-in satnav to dominate
The in-car navigation market is rapidly changing into dedicated manufacturer-installed satnavs and phones.
Factory-installed navigation systems are set to overtake portable device (PND) sales by 2015 - reaching 25 million units by then.
And, in adapting to the market change, both Garmin and TomTom have announced a series of contracts for line-fitted and semi-integrated navigation installations. These are claimed to be particularly suited to mass-produced, mid-range vehicles - where their low cost offers what appears to be a big differentiator in the quality of the vehicle.
As a result, the total in-car navigation market is set to grow at a compound rate (CAGR) of 25.9% over the next 5 years - representing a very strong market.
Additionally, the 'connected car' and in-car telematics markets are forecast to become a significant revenue generator over the next 5 years - hence it is vital for companies to use navigation as a platform on which to offer additional services, largely based on smartphone applications.
Details from ABI Research below.