Navteq has launched a free online tool which calculates the potential savings delivered by using navigation systems. The service has been designed to cover both private and professional drivers and can be used, for example, by fleet managers to estimate the impact in relation to a group of vehicles or by car dealerships and PND manufacturers to demonstrate the savings to consumers at the point of sale.
Navteq says research conducted in Germany demonstrated the positive impact of regularly using a navigation system. In the study, fuel consumption was cut by 12 per cent and each driver using navigation would have reduced their annual distance driven by around 2,500 kilometres. When applied to a company fleet, this can add up to valuable gains in productivity and improved net margins - the capital cost of the navigation systems being reduced by the cumulative savings. With corporate eco-friendly programmes in mind, it is also interesting to note the environmental benefits indicated in the study. The decrease in fuel consumption equated to a fall in annual CO2 emissions of around 24 per cent and the reduction in wear and tear on tyres from driving fewer kilometres could significantly cut disposal figures.
Using the new online tool the potential savings in relation to specific vehicles, driving habits and local fuel prices can be calculated. Leasing companies, original equipment manufacturers, car dealerships and portable system vendors can clearly demonstrate to business and private customers the advantages of opting for navigation. Details such as engine size, fuel type, number of miles/kilometres and, whether driving is mainly urban or rural are entered into the system. The benefits of using navigation for a specific vehicle or group of vehicles are then clearly illustrated.
“This is a great management tool for demonstrating the impact of navigation not only on the bottom line, but also on carbon footprints,” commented Bruno Bourguet, senior vice president, Navteq sales EMEA. “At the same time, it enables Navteq to play a role in helping drive sales of navigation through car dealerships and retail outlets.”
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