New York — JVC has exited the personal navigation device (PND) business as competition in that segment heats up.
JVC said it is no longer manufacturing its eAvinu KV-PX9 (originally at a suggested $749), and will focus instead on the auto in-dash navigation market.
JVC mobile entertainment VP Bill Turner stated, “Primarily because the portable navigation business has turned into a price-only market with numerous new competitors entering almost daily, we opted to focus our business on the in-dash market instead.” He added, “We continue to study the portable navigation market and may re-enter it once we identify stabilization with regard to price points. Right now, too much volatility exists with regard to pricing and brand recognition isn’t a key component.”
There are an estimated 150 suppliers worldwide in the navigation market. Some of the recent brands to enter the United States include LG Electronics, ViaMichelin, Porsche Design and Navigon.
