Three major Korean automakers will be including integrated maps and navigation systems on their European models, with two of the including real-time traffic information services. TomTom has announced a new deal with Kia Motors Europe to integrate its state-of-the-art connected services in new Kia cars. Through the partnership that begins in summer 2015, drivers of Kia cee’d and Optima models will benefit from TomTom’s services, including its real-time Traffic, Speed Cameras, Local search and Weather information systems. The integrated services will help Kia drivers to save time on the road by identifying the fastest route for each journey using accurate traffic information. They will also receive alerts about fixed and mobile speed cameras, as well as location-centric information on local shops, services and businesses, and prevailing weather reports. The services will be delivered to the on-board navigation systems via smartphone tethering, encoded as standard TPEG over IP, using OpenLR location referencing. “We know our drivers are increasingly requesting connected, in-car services. By choosing TomTom’s LIVE services, we can meet this demand, free of charge for seven years,” said Artur Martins, VP of marketing for Kia Motors Europe. “Drivers across Europe and Russia will now have access to real-time information that we believe will enhance the safety, comfort and enjoyment of every journey.”
TomTom is also collaborating with Hyundai Motor in Europe on the provision of a similar range of connected services, starting with the launch of the All-New Tucson SUV in the second half of 2015. “At Hyundai we aim to deliver value beyond expectations to our customers,” commented Jochen Sengpiehl, vice president of marketing at Hyundai Motor Europe. “This year, we will change the perception of our brand with the All-New Tucson. For this new model, TomTom’s ‘LIVE Services’ are the perfect choice to enhance the user experience with real-time information.” Jan-Maarten de Vries, VP of TomTom Automotive, commented, “We are proud to deliver our Traffic & Travel Information services to Hyundai’s on-board navigation systems in Europe and Russia. This deal shows that our world-class components can be integrated into various automotive system configurations to bring a great navigation experience.”
TomTom has also announced a new deal with the SsangYong Motor Company, with its maps and navigation software included in the all-new Tivoli model throughout Europe beginning in May 2015. Drivers will now benefit from the company’s turn-by-turn navigation, featuring advanced lane guidance to navigate the most complex junctions, as well as the advantage of its Routes system, which provide the fastest route based on actual speed data, for every road, for every time of the day, for every day of the week. The company was one of the first to use crowd sourcing to keep maps up-to-date, by combining professional map-making methods with community feedback from hundreds of millions of users.
