TomTom continues successful Renault partnership with R-Link
Geneva Motorshow, 06 March 2012 – TomTom today announces it will partner with Renault to supply the navigation in the upcoming R-Link. R-Link is Renault’s brand new integrated, connected multi-media system. R-Link features a large seven-inch display; steering wheel mounted controls and speech recognition and integrated connectivity. Zoe is the first Renault car model to be equipped with R-Link.
Following the huge success of the Carminat TomTom, R-Link’s navigation will be powered by TomTom. R-Link uses IQ routes and maps from TomTom. It also offers LIVE Services, including TomTom HD Traffic - giving drivers the fastest route to their destination based on the latest traffic situation. TomTom HD Traffic provides highly accurate traffic information for the whole road network including exit roads, slip roads and minor roads, which are not covered by competing technologies. Over 80 million people share anonymous location data with us, enabling TomTom HD Traffic to provide our community with the best traffic information every other minute.
“I am delighted that once again we are part of such an innovative solution with Renault. Our partnership is stronger than ever and I am pleased with how we are evolving,” says Giles Shrimpton, Managing Director TomTom Automotive. “In 2009 we launched the Carminat TomTom – the first fully fledged in-dash navigation system. In 2010 we made the Carminat TomTom connected with our LIVE Services and in 2011 we produced the first in-dash navigation system for the electric vehicle – the Fluence Z.E.”
In addition to the smart navigation provided by TomTom the Zoe R-Link includes new functions dedicated to electric motoring and range management. The R-Link receives information from the battery on its current state of charge which is used to determine the available driving range of the vehicle. The information is then visualised on the screen showing the journey against the available range and routes to charging stations. This will help to effectively plan charging and remove drivers’ “range anxiety”. The system also includes eco-routing – providing the driver with the option to select the most energy efficient route.
To date TomTom and Renault have sold 1.3 million devices of which 400,000 are connected. The Zoe will hit the streets in September 2012.
TomTom secures traffic deal with Qoros Auto in China
Amsterdam, 06 March 2012 – TomTom, via its joint venture partner AutoNavi Holdings Limited, announces a seven year agreement with Qoros Auto, an international automotive corporation. TomTom and AutoNavi will deliver HD Traffic, marking the first real time traffic customer for the newly expanded joint venture. In 2013 the first cars – aimed at young metropolitan users – will hit the streets in China equipped with HD Traffic, providing drivers with the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date traffic information available.
“Securing our first OEM customer using HD Traffic in China is an exciting win for TomTom,” said Ralf-Peter Schäfer, Head of TomTom Traffic Product Unit. “Working with such a strong partner in the automotive landscape in China and Europe is an opportunity for TomTom to further prove that HD Traffic is the best real-time traffic solution available globally.”
“It is our mission to deliver a first-grade and distinctive driving experience to all our customers,” said Stefano Villanti, Head of Sales and Marketing, Qoros Auto. “Partnering with TomTom and AutoNavi supports that mission for we believe that HD Traffic will allow our drivers to enjoy an efficient, stress-free driving experience.”
TomTom’s award winning HD Traffic is derived by combining information used from multiple GPS probe data sources. The TomTom HD Traffic fusion engine produces precise delay times and indicates the exact location of congestion on the road network. HD Traffic uses industry standards TMC and OpenLR, TomTom’s open source dynamic location referencing technology which brings unique coverage on highways and all major roads including city roads.