Volvo Enters U.S. PND Market With Garmin

By Amy Gilroy On Dec 3 2007 - 8:00am

Volvo will offer the Garmin Nuvi 760 personal navigation device (PND) in select models as a dealer-installed accessory, Volvo announced.

The development marks the first time that Garmin is offering a PND through an automaker in the United States. Garmin, however, already offers a custom version of its outdoor-GPS Quest through MOPAR for a Jeep Wrangler in the United States.

It also marks the first time that Volvo will offer an aftermarket PND, although other automakers do so as well.

Volvo's program is unique, however, in that it offers a kit that includes the Nuvi 760 and a smart mounting bracket that mounts on the top of the dashboard. The bracket matches the car interior and eliminates the need for exposed power cables.

The Nuvi 760 will be offered on the Volvo C30 and XC70 as well as select earlier Volvo models starting in early December.

The aftermarket version of the 760 carries a suggested retail of $799. It features a 4.3-inch touchscreen, slim form factor, real-time traffic service, Bluetooth, a new "Where's my car?" feature, and an emergency feature that displays the nearest hospital, police and gas stations, intersection and vehicle's current longitude and latitude at the touch of a button.

Several car companies offer Garmin PNDs in Europe as car options. Those automakers include Honda, Saab and Ford.