OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that its automotive OEM division will provide a connected and integrated navigation package for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara and SX4 models. This new program features a navigator that will come equipped with Garmin’s nuLink!™, a feature-rich service that provides customers mobile access to Google™ Local Search and up-to-date local information, including weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, white page telephone listings and up-to-the-minute traffic alerts with PhotoLive cameras delivered across AT&T’s wireless network. The program extends the collaboration between Garmin and Suzuki, which first launched on the 2009 Suzuki SX4.
“We’re pleased to extend our collaboration with a powerful partner such as Suzuki by offering the latest in our award-winning in-car navigation technology, including a full variety of powerful real-time location-relevant content from Garmin’s nuLink! services,” said Matthew Munn, Garmin’s managing director, Automotive OEM.
“Consumers today expect access to real-time information when they’re on the go and delivering it across the AT&T wireless network through Garmin’s navigation package is a natural fit,” said Glenn Lurie, president of emerging devices, AT&T. "Providing real time traffic information through PhotoLive, current fuel pricing and local event information enhances the driving experience with valuable everyday content consumers can and will use."
All 2012 Grand Vitara and select SX4 models will offer an exclusive Garmin navigation system which includes highly detailed maps of North America, which boast more than six million points of interest, as well as many cutting-edge features found in Garmin’s newest portable devices, including:
- nuLink! services – travel like a local with wireless online information like Google local search, traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events and white page telephone listings.
- PhotoLive Cameras – see live photographic images of the road ahead and keep an eye on the traffic to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Voice Activated Navigation – speak commands and control the device with your voice, reducing driver distraction and allowing you to keep both hands on the wheel.
- Hands-free Calls – receive and place phone calls directly from the device thanks to its integrated Bluetooth wireless technology.
- Lane Assist – guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate.
- Junction View – realistically displays 3D road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.
- trafficTrends™ – recommends routes using historical traffic data and recurring trends that Garmin has collected about traffic in your area at any given time or day.
- myTrends™ – remembers your frequent destinations to predict your destination without you needing to activate a route, displaying your arrival time and best route based on relevant traffic information.
- ecoRoute™ – helps drivers stretch their dollars and conserve fuel by creating routes that are optimized for using less fuel.
The system is fully-integrated into the vehicle, which provides power to the unit as well as high quality turn-by-turn voice prompting through the vehicle’s sound system. Drivers can easily detach the unit for safekeeping or pedestrian excursions. The unit is also customized with a Suzuki splash screen and a preloaded database of Suzuki dealerships.
The first year of wireless data services from Garmin’s nuLink! is free, and after that, the subscription renewal price for data services is $60.00 per year. In addition, the first 30 days of PhotoLive is free, and the monthly fee after that is $5.99. Suzuki’s full line of model year 2012 vehicles is arriving in dealer showrooms now. For more information about Suzuki’s versatile line up and to locate a dealer near you, please visit, www.suzukiauto.com.
Since its inception in 1989, Garmin has delivered 88 million GPS enabled devices – far more than any other navigation provider. Garmin’s market breadth in the GPS industry is second to none, having developed innovative products and established a leadership position in each of the markets it serves, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation, tracking, and wireless applications.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark, and nuLink!, trafficTrends, myTrends and ecoRoute are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
About Suzuki
The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 300 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2009, SMC sold more than 2.3 million new cars and trucks and more than 2.8 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com. Suzuki can also be found on Twitter (@SuzukiAuto), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/SuzukiAutomotive).