Ituran Location and Control Ltd., a provider of location-based services, has announced that its subsidiary in Brazil has signed a four-year agreement with a global automaker to offer telematics services in the Brazilian market. Ituran’s services include: vehicle security, personal safety, remote diagnostic, Web and app application and Concierge. The service will be launched through a joint venture called IRT (Ituran Road Track), which is 50 percent owned by Ituran.

The agreement has a long-term time frame.

Ituran says it expects some investment and expense requirements during the initial period of contract, resulting in a loss at the joint venture in an amount which is not significant to the company. During 2017, the joint venture expected to become profitable.

Eyal Sheratzki, CEO of Ituran, commented, “This agreement is an important milestone and significant step for our business. It very much strengthens our position, as we evolve into a player in the automotive industry after two decades of operating in the aftermarket segment only. It will bring us hundreds of thousands of additional subscribers, positioning us as a clear market leader in Brazil. We believe this agreement also opens up many future opportunities for us in Latin America. We look forward to working with this client — one of the world’s leading car manufacturers — as we build a long-term, successful and fruitful relationship.”

Yaron Littan, CEO of Ituran Brazil and IRT, added, “Reaching this agreement with a global automaker was a long process taking a number of years. I want to personally thank the client’s team for their professionalism. We are very pleased with the final result which will be a win-win for all parties involved,  especially Brazilian customers. The services have been tropicalized to attend the Brazilian market and client’s customers, and will position it as a telematics market leader in South America.”