Garmin Navigation to be Standard Equipment in Suzuki SX4

(Business News & Technology News, 30 Apr 2008)

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd, will provide an integrated navigation system for the new 2009 Suzuki SX4 as standard equipment. The program marks the first time in America that a vehicle under $16,000 will include GPS navigation as a standard feature.

"We're delighted to work with Suzuki to make Garmin navigation standard equipment on the Suzuki SX4," says Dan Bartel, Garmin's Vice President of Worldwide Sales. "The device includes a fully integrated mount that allows for elegant mounting inside the vehicle, but also makes it easy-to-remove for adventures on foot. And Suzuki has customized it with its own set of fun and useful destinations and points of interest."

Based on Garmin's nuvi 700 series of premium navigators, the Suzuki T.R.I.P. (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information and Play) system has maps of North America pre-loaded, and has a bright 4.3in touchscreen display with nearly six million points of interest (POI)—places like restaurants, hotels, ATM machines, and more.

While a base version of the navigation system will be included on these vehicles as standard equipment, users can upgrade to a premium navigation device with the SX4's upgrade package. This enhanced navigator includes next-generation dynamic content from the MSN Direct network, including up-to-date traffic information, fuel prices, and weather reports. The system also offers news and stock market information, local events, movie listings, and the ability to plan trips and look up destinations on a computer and then wirelessly send them to the device. Owners can pair most Bluetooth-enabled phones with the device, for hands-free calling.

The system is also uniquely integrated into the SX4's audio system. Drivers can listen to the radio or CD player, and the audio will automatically lower when their navigation device gives a voice prompt or when there's an incoming Bluetooth-enabled phone call. Furthermore, the MSN Direct antenna is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle's existing antenna, and it continuously is collecting the most up-to-date data.

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