TomTom Expands Into Chevy Dealers

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 1/31/2012

Detroit - GPS supplier TomTom expanded its car-dealer distribution efforts with the launch of a pair of portable navigation devices (PNDs) available through Chevrolet dealerships.

TheTomTom VIA 1405 and VIA 1505 are available as part of Chevrolet's accessories line and plug into a vehicle's cigarette lighter for power and mount to the windshield or dash.

 Under the Chevy deal, consumers who purchase a 2009 or newer Camaro, Colorado, Cobalt, Express, Impala or HHR get the option to choose either PND. Dealers will set prices, TomTom said.

The VIA 1405 and VIA 1505 feature 4.3- and 5-inch touchscreens, respectively, and offer spoken street names, advanced lane guidance, map updates, foldaway mount integrated into the devices,  and an emergency menu to find emergency providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.

  The distribution deal follows the launch last year of car-dealer-installed TomTom GPS options for the Mazda CX-5 and Fiat's Fiat 500. In the Mazda, the TomTom system takes the form of a hideaway module that connects to the vehicle's 5.8-inch factory touchscreen monitor via USB. In the Fiat, TomTom's "semi-integrated" solution looks like a traditional PND and can be used outside the car, but it sits in a dash-mounted cradle to connect to vehicle wiring for power and to integrate with the vehicle's electronics systems. When plugged in, the device displays information from the car's trip computer and media player.

The Mazda and Fiat products were designed to reduce the price of OEM navigation systems while offering such aftermarket features in an OEM system as easy map upgrades, better graphics and displays, TomTom said.