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TomTom partners with Fiat and Toyota to deliver in-dash navigation, traffic (update: Mercedes, too)

Terrence O'Brien
Former Managing Editor
Updated ·4 min read
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If you're a GPS company, one way to keep the smartphone feature creep at bay is to strike deals with car manufacturers, and bake your wares into their vehicles. TomTom has done particularly good securing these partnerships and Fiat is just the latest company to sign on the dotted line. Its navigation software will be built into the Uconnect Radio Nav systems found in the 500L series from the Italian car marker. It will eventually roll out to other vehicles and Fiat brands, but there was no timeline given. TomTom also inked a deal with Toyota's European arm to put TomTom HD Traffic in any vehicle packing a Touch&GO in-dash device. For more, check out the PR after the break.

Update: TomTom announced that it'll also be doling out traffic info to select Mercedes-Benz vehicles in 12 European countries via HD Traffic, which will be baked into the luxury car-makers COMAND nav system.

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TomTom delivers new, built-in navigation solution for Fiat Group

~ TomTom continues to be Fiat Group's preferred navigation supplier ~

83rd Geneva International Motor Show
GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TomTom today announces that it will provide a new navigation solution for Fiat Group, continuing the four-year partnership between the two companies. For the first time, TomTom navigation will be built-in as part of the Fiat Group's new Uconnect™ 5" Radio Nav infotainment system. The new in-dash solution will be showcased today at the Geneva Motor Show.

The new infotainment system will initially be available in Fiat 500L series models, and offers a 5" touch screen. Uconnect will feature many of the technologies found in TomTom's industry-leading PNDs, including world-class maps, IQ Routes, voice control and Advanced Lane Guidance. The device also incorporates the familiar and renowned TomTom user interface.

"We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Fiat Group," says Charles Cautley, Managing Director Automotive at TomTom. "Today, the in-dash navigation system is such an important feature of a car. So when a company such as Fiat continues to work with us in this way, it reflects an ongoing confidence in both TomTom technologies and in the strength of our partnership."

TomTom teamed up with other suppliers to produce the Uconnect 5" Radio Nav. Global automotive systems supplier Continental developed the hardware and played the role of system integrator. Microsoft supplied the Windows Embedded Automotive operating system which allows the easy integration of third party software.

The Uconnect 5" Radio Nav will be first rolled out with the Fiat 500L series, then extended to other Fiat Group brands and models.

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Toyota Motor Europe to Equip Vehicles with TomTom HD Traffic

~ TomTom's real-time traffic information to be offered as standard ~

83rd Geneva International Motor Show
GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, TomTom announces that Toyota Motor Europe (Toyota) will offer TomTom HD Traffic* as standard in all vehicles with Toyota's next generation Touch&GO navigation and infotainment systems. TomTom's award-winning traffic information will be rolled out from early 2014.

With access to TomTom's accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive traffic information, Toyota drivers will get to their destinations faster. By combining accurate data, from multiple sources, TomTom delivers the highest quality traffic information available.

"TomTom HD Traffic is in a league of its own. We provide world-class traffic information that is precise and highly accurate," says Charles Cautley, Managing Director Automotive at TomTom. "We're delighted to extend our partnership with Toyota and bring TomTom HD Traffic to drivers across Europe. Our real-time traffic information will help millions of drivers to get to their destinations faster."

"As one of World's leading car manufacturers, we strive to develop products that don't just meet our customers' expectations, but exceed them," says Derek Williams, General Manager, Telematics & Multimedia at Toyota Motor Europe. "Quality traffic information always comes high on our customers' wish list. By providing TomTom HD Traffic as an in-built connected service, our drivers will always have the best traffic information available."

TomTom will collaborate with its partner Harman to integrate TomTom HD Traffic into the next generation Touch&Go multimedia platform.

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today TomTom announces that Daimler will equip its upcoming Mercedes-Benz vehicles with TomTom HD Traffic. With access to TomTom's accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive traffic information, Mercedes-Benz drivers will get to their destinations faster, saving time and fuel.

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TomTom to provide Mercedes-Benz with real-time traffic information

TomTom HD Traffic will be available for Mercedes-Benz customers in 12 countries throughout Europe* starting this summer. The real-time traffic information will automatically be included in the high-end COMAND navigation system as a three year service.

"We provide world-class traffic information that is precise and highly accurate," said Charles Cautley, Managing Director of TomTom Automotive. "TomTom HD Traffic meets the high-class quality requirements of Mercedes who wants to provide the best navigation experience to its drivers and offer them a more predictable journey."

According to recent independent research**, TomTom's traffic information saves commuters 50 minutes of travel per week or about 40 hours per year. Mercedes-Benz customers can regain a full work week annually by using TomTom HD Traffic.