ViaMichelin: First of all, what does C-IQ mean and what exactly is it?
Henning Wiefelspütz: The system's full name is C-IQ Intelligent Content on Demand. It's an innovative concept allowing users of onboard navigation to access regularly updated maps and tourist and road information on demand, wherever they happen to be. In a first stage we are introducing this concept to fit our VDO Dayton navigation systems.

How does this distinguish C-IQ from ordinary navigation systems not fitted with this system?
The user of a standard navigation system must first of all take action to buy a further CD or DVD containing map or tourist data in order to have updated information. In contrast, the driver who has a C-IQ system can permanently access the most recent information on all western European countries, even outside the country where he usually drives. All he has to do is dial a phone number and ask for access to the map, tourist or road contents of the country visited*. He pays only for the contents requested and only for the time he needs such information. A typical example would be a German or French citizen spending a weekend in Switzerland and buying the Swiss contents just for two days time.

Does a driver really need frequent updates? What risks are entailed if the user doesn't bother with updates or only updates once every other year?
You can always use the VDO Dayton navigation system like an ordinary navigation system. You buy the CD-ROM and obtain a permanent access. There is therefore no risk but you don't enjoy the regular updates. Data then rapidly becomes outdated. For instance the road network is continually changing - roughly 20% of the network alters in some respect every year. Similarly, tourist information, such as opening times and prices, is often outdated after a year. So if you don't subscribe to updates, you'll be deprived of the many advantages of the C-IQ package, such as for example the latest edition of the MICHELIN Red Guide. Clients who have opted for the C-IQ update programme receive the latest edition of the Guide on a CD or a DVD and are sent, at least once a year, an update for all the data.

How do you receive the update system? By post or via the Internet? Who informs the user that updates are available?
All clients who have opted for the C-IQ update programme automatically receive CDs or DVDs** by post, as simply as that. They don't have to order anything for the length of their contract (activation period)***. Later, when the technicalities have been mastered, updates will also be able to be downloaded via the Internet. For the time being, the CD/DVD is sent by post, automatically as I said.

Can this system supply road information, and point out accidents and detours in case of traffic jams?
Road information is indeed one of the three types of services we currently offer, in addition to navigation and tourist information. We send this information via TMC***, a free service, or, in Great Britain, via the pay service ITIS, to give our clients real-time information of traffic jams, accidents, detours, etc.

Does this system show photos?
ViaMichelin shows photos for France displayed in colour on the VDO Dayton navigation system screens. So you can get an idea of some of the places you are travelling to. Siemens VDO Automotive and ViaMichelin technicians have worked together to supply optimised data and a simple, user-friendly environment for use in a vehicle.

Can users who already have a VDO Dayton navigation system integrate the C-IQ software or do they have to buy a new system?
While most of our C-IQ clients are new clients, some users want to update their old VDO Dayton system. Clients are then advised by their dealer as to how to get their system to work with C-IQ after making a few equipment and software adaptations. But, as a general rule, clients buy the VDO Dayton navigation system with C-IQ, the full package.

C-IQ allows you to choose among several map databases. How do you make your choice?
Buyers can of course ask their dealer for advice or shop around. C-IQ proposes a preview, which is particularly interesting because you can test the system for two days free of charge. You can thus choose the contents that suit you best, whether tourist or map data.

Does the system cover all countries in the same way or are there differences from one country to another?
Generally speaking, the maps cover 99% of the European road network, the only exceptions concerning some outlying countries such as Spain, Portugal or Scandinavia where it can be estimated the network is only 80% covered.
Turning to tourist information, thanks to ViaMichelin we cover the main European countries. For each tourist point of interest, ViaMichelin gives a brief description and its grading. Similarly, the MICHELIN Red Guide selection of hotels and restaurants is available for France, Benelux, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, with a few lines describing each establishment, its grading, level of comfort and prices. A multicriteria search function makes it easier for drivers to find what they are looking for. Once you have confirmed your choice, the navigation system guides you to the chosen destination.
At present only Austria is not covered and we are working to complete that country with ViaMichelin.

What does the future hold in store for navigation systems?
Today, drivers can access, in their cars, information of a quality comparable to that to be found in a tourist guide or on the Internet. There was a real demand by drivers for such information. We have defined two target groups: the first concerns users who set out without preparing their route and consult the guide en route to see what it suggests. The second group comprises users who have spotted a restaurant in the Red Guide and count on their navigation system to get them there quickly. The former group is totally reliant on their C-IQ system, whereas for the latter group there is a genuine complementarity between the Internet or the paper guide and the navigation system. Our system can satisfy these two groups of clients.
In the future we can imagine our systems also supplying information on car park spaces or on the weather.

How much does the VDO Dayton navigation system with C-IQ cost? What subscriptions are on offer? What's their price?
The prices range from 1 000 to 2 450 euros depending on the type of system (car radio shape or with a flip out screen), which corresponds to a normal price range for a navigation system. As for the C-IQ services available, the client can choose between an annual subscription for 89 euros for one country, a two year subscription for 169 euros or a price of 2.99 euros per day for specific requests, for instance for a trip of a few days to a foreign country.

* You are then given a code allowing you to unlock certain data.
** Either a pack of 13 CD-ROMs covering Europe or 2 DVD-ROMs.
*** The minimum contract is for one year for the maps of one country.
**** TMC (Traffic Message Channel): an RDS (Radio Data System) function allowing radio information broadcast on the FM band to display the name of the station on your car radio, automatically monitor frequencies and transmit data such as traffic information (accidents, roadworks or travel time) in real time and in the user's language.