Audi, BMW And Mercedes To Compete Against Google In Maps Market

BMW AG, Audi AG and Daimler AG plan to invite other investors to join the mapping consortium they’ve forged to compete with Google Inc., people familiar with the matter said.

New partners are unlikely to be added until after the $3.1 billion purchase from Nokia Oyj closes in the first quarter of 2016, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Preliminary talks have been held with peers including General Motors Co., which signaled willingness to consider joining, one of the people said.

More stakeholders in maps unit HERE means more vehicles eventually feeding data on road conditions and accidents into the platform. Additional partners would also increase the complexity of what is already an unprecedented joint acquisition by the German companies.

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vdiv - 8/4/2015 1:41:13 PM

0 Boost

Oh, they mean with Apple or Bing maps? Yeah, that'll do it! ;)

TheSteve - 8/4/2015 1:51:22 PM

+1 Boost

When a factory nav system option approaches a $3000 cost, it should be mind-blowingly wonderful! They aren't. They just the opposite, in fact :-(

Meanwhile, a flagship Garmin unit costing $399 (about 15%) has a dramatically superior user interface, much better functionality, and frequent and FREE map data updates, traffic data, and software updates, for life! Plus, it's easily upgradable when new technology comes along. For example, say you bought the Garmin flagship GPS five years ago, and now Garmin offers a much improved unit with a dashcam. For $399, you get the latest and greatest unit, with a total cost (first + second GPS) that's about 1/3 of your crummy-out-of-the box and now even more outdated factory unit.

Also, considering that today, people keep their car for an average of 11.5 years, it's folly to commit to a GPS that will be a decade old at some point! Computers have come a long way since 2005 (e.g., a 2005 PC had Windows XP, 1 GHz single-core CPU, 128 MB RAM, 30 GB HDD, CD-ROM (no writer), Floppy drive).

Factory units just can't compare, unless all the points I mention are less important to you than having a built-in unit.

atc98092 - 8/4/2015 4:39:00 PM

+1 Boost

I don't recall my computers being that pathetic ten years ago. Most that I worked with had at least a dual core CPU and at least a gig of RAM. Hard drives were about 80 gig (but yeah, still wimpy compared to today) and I know I had CD burners as well. Still, your point is valid about improvements in technology.

The major things for me preferring the factory unit are 1) screen size and 2) theft. Maybe it's my age and eyesight, which is a valid argument, but the Tom Tom I bought 6 years ago is no where as easy to view as the screen in my Passat. And something stuck on the windshield is an easy target for theft. Yes, you aren't supposed to leave it on the glass, but then you still have the power cord visible. If you hide everything each time you park, it's additional things to be before you exit the car, and more to do before you can get going again.

As much as a techy as I am, I don't always have to have the latest and greatest of everything. As annoying as the RNS-510 is in my Passat, I can live with it until my next new car.

randy3023 - 8/4/2015 3:05:27 PM

+1 Boost

The automakers don't intend to enter the maps market or compete with Google. Google maps is free, why would they do that? They are more interested in making autonomous vehicles.