WELLINGBOROUGH, England — The market for factory-fitted telematics systems has been growing steadily over the past decade, but a recent report from IMS Research finds that this market is about to enter a new and more dynamic growth phase.
The report, “The World Market for OE In-Vehicle Telematics Systems,” forecasts that all major manufacturers will sell an increasing proportion of their vehicles with these systems during the next decade. Globally, the percentage of new vehicles fitted with telematics is forecast to grow from 9 percent in 2009 to 46 percent in 2017, according to IMS. However, the types of telematics system offered and the applications they provide will differ greatly between manufacturers.
The term “telematics” can mean slightly different things to different people and there is no consistent industry definition. IMS Research defines it as integrated, two-way data communications between the vehicle and an outside network that is often associated with vehicle location.
According to report author Jon Cropley, “Telematics is an umbrella term that covers many different solutions from the Toyota G-Book, to Mercedes’ mbrace and GM’s OnStar. What they each share in common is that they employ wireless technology to connect in-vehicle entertainment and information systems to outside networks. In doing so, they enhance the driving experience or offer additional functionality.”
The report estimates that General Motors sold the most vehicles with factory-fitted telematics systems globally in 2009, at 2.2 million vehicles.
One difference between the various telematics solutions is the applications they provide. Applications that are driving the fitment of factory-fitted telematics include emergency calling, stolen vehicle tracking and Internet access, says IMS Research.
Cropley added, “In-vehicle Internet access could lead to a wide range of interesting new services. Examples include weather reports for your destination and having your emails read aloud to you while driving.”
Globally, IMS Research forecasts that the number of new vehicles with internet access will grow from 1.1 million in 2009 to 6.0 million in 2017.
