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July 28, 2005
Thai firm plan to bring digital navigation to Asia
MappointAsia predicts rapid growth for digital navigation services for personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones and automobiles over the next two to three years. On board navigation has proved to be popular with high-end autos in US. MappointAsia is hoping the same with Asian markets.
M.L. Saksiri Kridakorn, chief executive officer, sees high potential in personal navigation throughout Southeast Asia, but particularly in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand where sales of both cars and digital devices have been rising rapidly.
Part of the traditional map market would be replaced by digital maps, especially for younger, IT-aware consumers.
So far only a few high-end passenger car brands in Thailand are capable of using in-car navigation: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord among them..
MappointAsia is partnering with Tele Atlas of Denmark to deliver products internationally. Tele Atlas already has experience with car manufacturers such as BMW, GM and Volkswagen. The firm shipped more than 2.6 million maps last year. MappointAsia is also entering with similar deals with Mitsui of Japan to penetrate Japanese automobile manufacturers.
Posted by admin at July 28, 2005 02:59 PM