Navman Gps Helps Germany Clip Road Charges Ticket
Navman NZ has just won a multi-million dollar export contract, supplying GPS technology supporting the introduction of
electronic road toll collection in Germany by a consortium comprising Cofiroute, Daimler Chrysler Services and Deutsche
Telecom.
This single deal, worth up to $40million over the next two years, will see Navman providing the GPS modules to the heart
of the toll collection system.
The deal is a direct result of Navman's 2002 acquisition of US-based Conexant's line of GPS receiver modules, where all
manufacturing has been transferred to Navman's Christchurch office prompting a significant increase in staff numbers,
manufacturing throughput and even a change of premises.
The win was based on a strong partnership with Navman's German based distributor, Unitronic, as well as a considerable
investment from both organisations in achieving both technical and commercial acceptance of Navman technology by the
customer.
"At the time we said that bringing the Conexant business to New Zealand would pay off in creating more jobs and
expanding New Zealand's electronics sector" says Mark Bowman, Executive Vice President of Navman OEM.
"Navman's proven dead reckoning technology was a significant criteria in gaining this deal," says Mr. Bowman. "The toll
collection system is expected to come into effect in September, collecting tolls on German autobahns from heavy trucks."
He says the system is one of the most intelligent toll levying systems in the world, and the first to combine the
technologies of mobile communications and GPS. It also makes tollbooths obsolete and smoothes traffic flows, easing
congestion.
"This is an excellent example of building new markets on Navman's core GPS technology," says Mr Bowman. "Not only does
it bring in significant revenues for the company, but shows that New Zealand organisations can deliver volume
electronics to the global market."
Navman, which employs over 300 people in its global operations, has increased its Christchurch staff numbers from
fourfold in the past 9 months and is expecting further significant growth in the coming months.
-ends-
More information:
Mark Bowman, Navman OEM, 03 379 3859, 021 649 800
About Navman NZ Limited
a.. Navman is a recognised world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high reliability GPS products for
the marine, personal GPS, fleet management and OEM markets. a.. It is one of New Zealand's fastest growing companies,
employing around 300 people globally in Australia, USA, Europe and its home base in New Zealand. b.. The company is
Trade New Zealand's Supreme Exporter of 2002 as well as New Zealand's Hi- Tech Company of the year. Visit Navman at
www.navman.com
Notes for editors: German Electronic Road User system
Ø 'Toll Collect' won the German government tender to introduce a system for levying tuck tolls on the basis of distance
traveled.
Ø It is both an automatic toll collection system for frequent users (using an onboard unit in the truck) as well as a
manual variant for infrequent users.
Ø Tolls are levied only on highway travel, based on the number of axles and the emissions class.
Ø Using a GPS receiver and mobile radio, the truck's onboard unit determines whether the truck is traveling on a toll or
secondary road.
Ø Based on vehicle parameters, and the distance traveled, the system automatically calculates due tolls and transmits
this to the Toll Collect Centre, which arranges payment with the shipping company or vehicle owner.
Ø Using GPS eliminates the need for a network of transmission/receiver units along the road that beacon systems require.
Ø Its system is interoperable with other countries and provides the opportunity to establish a standard for new road
toll collection systems in Europe.