Hyundai Introduces 'Green Routing' Navigation Leveraging NAVTEQ's Advanced Content

GENEVA, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, has been chosen by Hyundai to provide advanced content for its new navigation platform which features a green routing option as well as the traditional 'shortest' or 'fastest' routes. Being showcased on the new Hyundai Veloster which is being launched at the Geneva Motor Show this week, the system will also be demonstrated at the NAVTEQ stand (7000, Hall 7).

Hyundai developed the new software using NAVTEQ's digital map data with additional ADAS attributes such as slopes, height and curvature which enable the routing calculations to take into account more precise road geometry and the nature of the terrain.   This has been coupled with NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns™ which predicts where and when traffic jams will happen based on when they typically occur - so drivers can be guided via alternative routes where traffic flows more smoothly.   Together these attributes enable the navigation system to find routes which minimize fuel consumption.

"It is rare for this type of 'green routing' option to be available in C–segment vehicles but we are looking to exploit any opportunity which encourages responsible driving and lowers CO2 emissions," commented Allan Rushforth, COO & SVP European Operations, Hyundai Motor Europe GmbH. "By leveraging NAVTEQ's expertise and support services we can improve customer benefits and move beyond the map to ADAS data and other advanced content to bring this technology to higher volume models."

Tests comparing 'fastest route' and 'greenest route' calculations in several city and urban scenarios ranging from Paris to Frankfurt, New York and Chicago showed that when using the 'greenest route', there was at least a 6% fuel saving per trip and often more*. In additional NAVTEQ research,** green routing – with the navigation system determining the most fuel-efficient route – proved the eco friendly feature with the highest level of interest, followed by green driving (which advises the driver on the optimum speed and gear for the terrain) and then predictive cruise control.  Most of those surveyed would anticipate using green features on a weekly basis.

"NAVTEQ has, for the past several years, developed advanced content which supports OEs efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, working towards the larger goal of saving the environment," added Bruno Bourguet, SVP Sales EMEA, NAVTEQ.  "Our collaboration with Hyundai has been particularly satisfying as it enabled them to deliver an innovative navigation platform integrating a green routing option in addition to the traditional 'shortest' or 'fastest' routes. This delivers on the larger environmental objective while also meeting the interests of its drivers."

Hyundai is also working with NAVTEQ to improve the navigation take rate even further through effective dealer and customer communications which illustrate how navigation adds value and potentially helps reduce running costs. NAVTEQ has been encouraging for many years consumer adoption of navigation through a variety of innovative marketing programs facilitating easy and convenient dealer ordering processes by creating on-line stores for map updates, offering "map bundles" to keep navigation systems at an optimum performance with up-to-date maps or sending out dealer communications via email and direct mail when an update becomes available.

The new navigation software will be used on the company's map updates from Spring this year – making the advanced 'green routing' feature available to drivers with the recently launched Veloster.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data (digital location content) enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world.  NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.  The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 5,400 employees located in 214 offices in 49 countries.

NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

About Hyundai

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group which was ranked as the world's fifth-largest automaker since 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor sold approximately 2.8 million vehicles globally in 2008, posting sales of US$25.6 billion on a non-consolidated basis (using the average currency exchange of 1257.5 won per US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products are available at http://www.hyundai.com

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SOURCE NAVTEQ