© Blaupunkt Matthieu Pardessus, marketing director of Blaupunkt France: 'Navigation aid systems reduce stress in the car very significantly both from the viewpoint of driving comfort and that of safety.'

ViaMichelin: How many vehicles would you estimate are fitted with navigation aid systems in Europe? How is the market progressing?
Matthieu Pardessus: At present 2% of European vehicles are fitted with navigation systems, in other words out of 190 million vehicles less than 4 million are fitted. 70% of vehicles fitted were OEM-fitted, the aftermarket representing only 30%. There is therefore a very high development potential, particularly in the aftermarket.

In Europe, which are the leading countries?
In this field, the German, Belgian and Dutch markets are without any doubt far more equipped than those of the other European countries. Estimations for 2001 in the aftermarket and the auto parts market stand at approximately 130 000 systems in Germany, 30 000 in the Netherlands, and 15 000 in Belgium. Proportionally to their population, Italy, France, Great Britain and Spain are lagging far behind with respectively 25 000, 20 000, 10 000 and 5 000 systems.

Can't this lack of dynamism in the European market in comparison with the Japanese market be ascribed to the fact that drivers don't clearly see the benefits of these systems?
2% of vehicles is indeed a very low figure whereas the benefits the user can derive from navigation systems are considerable and far higher than those of other technologies.
First, and this is perhaps the most important factor, navigation aid systems reduce stress in the car very significantly both from the viewpoint of driving comfort and that of safety. You know almost to the minute when you're going to reach your destination. You also know when you're going to be late at an appointment and can make a phonecall. You can find addresses in an emergency situation, hotels, petrol stations, etc.. Nor do you lose time reading a map before or during a trip. Even average car users doing 6 to 18 000 miles per year gain time, and for drivers clocking up a high mileage or professional drivers and road hauliers a navigation system is an absolute must. They represent an economic factor to be taken into consideration; these systems very soon pay for themselves when you bear in mind the cost of a lorry blocked in traffic. Another example of professional use is that of the Blaupunkt systems already fitting a thousand or so G7 taxis: their efficiency is highly appreciated in the Paris suburbs where everyone knows you can easily lose your direction. Taxi drivers thus gain time and customers like this high quality service.
At a standstill, if your system has a screen displaying maps, you can also locate your position with respect to your destination, at the scale of a country or of a neighbourhood thanks to the zoom functions. So you know the distance you still have to cover.

One of drivers' questions concerns safety: 'Isn't a navigation system likely to distract me while driving?
Quite the contrary, the system guides you with vocal prompts (just like any co-pilot, but without making mistakes) and you therefore don't have to take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road. There are three vocal prompts before each junction so you can anticipate turns safely and with peace of mind: 'Prepare to turn right', 'Turn right', 'Turn right now'. You know exactly when you have to turn; in the rare cases when you might be in doubt you can take a quick look at the screen where a little arrow shows you the direction but, in 99% of cases, vocal guidance is sufficient.
It should be recalled that on-board navigation today represents well-mastered and reliable technology - which wasn't perhaps the case a few years ago --, it is already currently used in millions of vehicles and it is therefore instrumental for safe and comfortable driving.

How does vocal guidance interact with my other equipment like the radio?
You can continue listening to the radio while remaining in navigation mode. You just have to adjust the volume of the vocal prompt to your liking. The same applies for listening to your favourite CDs. Navigation systems are also compatible with steering wheel controls, particularly the car radio remote control. There are connections so you can keep all these items of equipment.

For the aftermarket, Blaupunkt has just brought out the new TravelPilot DX V, in other words the fourth generation of guidance systems. What are the major innovations of this system, especially in terms of design and ease of use?
The DX V's major innovation is its new screen of the size of a small TV screen (6.5 inch) which makes map reading all the easier. The screen is a flip out model so that guarantees against theft.
The system also has a tremendous calculation power allowing it to recalculate your journey almost instantaneously if for one reason or another you have missed a turn or are forced to take another road because of roadworks or an accident. It is currently the quickest system on the market.
It also offers very precise guidance down to the yard in 95% of cases. For example, on arriving at crossroads, a bar graph informs you of the distance remaining to be covered; it empties as you approach the junction and, when it is completely empty, that corresponds exactly to the place where you have to turn.
Inputting the destination is often the most tedious aspect of navigation systems but, on the DX V, inputting is extremely rapid, simple and intuitive. To enter the name of a town or a street where you have already been, a single letter is enough, the system automatically proposes you a selection of names corresponding to that letter. If it is a new destination, it will only propose letters that are part of a logical set, so there's no risk of spelling mistakes and it avoids you inputting all the name by automatically proposing you a list a of names.

Does this system give me access to dynamic information: accidents, alternative routes in the event of traffic jams, diversions?
Our systems can analyse TMC-type dynamic information which is broadcast by some radio stations (like for example 107.7) and, in the event of a traffic jam, the driver is warned and an alternative route proposed. Yet not all countries offer the same wealth of information: once more Germany and the Netherlands are somewhat in the lead technologically over the rest of Europe.

What is the geographic coverage of such a system and what information can the user access?
Nearly 90 % of the French network is today covered, in other words approximately 533 000 miles of roads. Here again, Germany and Benelux - but also Great Britain - enjoy a lead position with 100% coverage. As for Italy, 100% of the inter-town network is covered except for certain B roads. Spain, on the other hand, is falling somewhat behind and is one of western Europe's less well covered main countries.
The user can also access all of the hotels and restaurants in the Michelin Red Guide as well as tourist attractions and the travellers' addresses of the Green Guide (bars, discothèques, shops, theatres, cinemas, etc.). Multi-criteria selection allows you to choose a hotel or restaurant according to various parameters: quality, comfort (terrace, swimming pool, etc.), prices, and closeness to your vehicle. A complete description of each establishment is also available. The system is therefore both a source of leisure information and a professional instrument for anyone wishing for example to invite a client to lunch: you will be immediately proposed a choice of several restaurants with the culinary specialities of the location, information on the setting and the telephone number to book a table

What are the necessary accessories to install such a system in my car and what's the cost?
There are currently two types of systems: on the one hand 1 DIN systems, which offer an all-in-one radio, CD player and navigator and which are installed instead of and in the place of your car radio and, on the other hand, stand-alone systems comprising a separate screen as is the case with the DX V. These two systems can be adapted to all types of vehicles, even old ones. On some old models, a wheel sensor sometimes has to be added which collects speed information, but that's an easy job. However, in 95% of modern vehicles, speed information is received directly on the dashboard. A GPS antenna also has to be installed [see our article], generally on the dashboard. These are very little and therefore very discreet. On 1 DIN systems, the screen is fitted in the dashboard and therefore far smaller, so the full map of a country or a neighbourhood can't be displayed. 1 DIN systems are therefore less expensive to buy and install: in the region of 815 to 940 GBP*. On stand-alone systems, in addition to displaying a full, detailed map, the flip out screen also features multimedia functions, for example a DVD or a games console can be connected. Their cost is therefore higher and can rise to 2 320 GBP.
Furthermore your navigation system can of course be easily removed and re-installed if you change cars. But, whatever the case, you'll need to see a professional installer.

What models of cars are sold with an OEM-fitted Blaupunkt system?
Our navigation systems are OEM-fitted on some models of Fiat, Mercedes, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo cars and on practically all the Volkswagen range. Contrary to a widespread idea, it is less and less true that OEM-fitted navigation systems concern only luxury vehicles: admittedly, at Mercedes, most up-market models are OEM-fitted, but a number of middle range models are now to be found that are OEM-fitted, for instance the Fiat Punto, either as an option or as a standard feature on the most luxurious models of the range.

* Prices are given for guidance only.