about-electronics.eu

The North America portable GPS market has been barraged in the past 45 days with new products and new suppliers, all vying to gain a toe hold in the expected 3 million unit market this year.

New brands including Uniden, Rand McNally and Dash Navigation, have announced market entries and current suppliers Delphi, Mio, Cobra, Navman, Lowrance and TeleType, as well as the “big three” market leaders: Garmin, TomTom and Magellan have announced new products.

It remains to be seen if some of the contenders can break the market stronghold enjoyed by Garmin, TomTom and Magellan, which collectively own about 85 percent share, according to The NPD Group.

With the portable GPS category ready to nearly triple in sales this year and possibly double again next year, many brands are doing their best to topple the big three’s juggernaut.

The contenders’ success will be determined in part by pricing and by distribution, said Ross Rubin, NPD’s industry analysis director.

He notes that Garmin, with 40 to 50 percent share, has been aggressive on price to help defend its stronghold. Making some inroads in market share, however, are Sony and Pioneer, which have each gained by a few points recently, said Rubin.

Sony has the advantage of strong distribution, he said. Pioneer has been offering a free portable GPS with the purchase of a Pioneer in-dash navigation system.

Rubin noted, “It’s easy to get into the category, but it’s difficult to differentiate one self.”

Source: This Week in Consumer Electronics

read more

Over 300 million GPS receivers are expected to ship in 2011, up from 40 million in 2005, according to an ABI Research report.  GPS-enabled handsets will beat in-vehicle GPS navigation receivers in both shipment count and revenue, the report said.

Growth will result from mass uptake of navigation services by mobile subscribers using GSM handsets.

“As that trend develops, the fastest regional growth, which until now has been seen in North America and parts of Asia, will shift to Europe,” ABI said.

Garmin, TomTom, Magellan, Thales, Trimble, Rockwell Collins, Leica and Honeywell will benefit from the increase, ABI said.

Europe’s Galileo navigation satellites will boost the industry too.  The more satellites in the sky, the greater availability of the signal, and the more accurate the location data it provides.

Source: Satellite Week Magazine

read more