ViaMichelin and Navigon to launch co-branded products

French "ViaMichelin-Navigon" range due to "economies of scale"

5 February 2008 11:37 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

ViaMichelin and Navigon have announced they are joining forces on the French GPS navigation market, only weeks after rumours were circulating that ViaMichelin would exit the business for good.

The two companies have entered an agreement to combine their
respective know-how in developing a new range of GPS portable navigation devices, co-branded "ViaMichelin-Navigon".

According to this agreement, the forthcoming ViaMichelin-Navigon range will be launched in France during the second quarter of 2008 before possibly being extended to other countries at a later date.

"This agreement will provide economies of scale which are made necessary by heavy pressure on PND prices. By relying on Navigon for PNDs, and by developing more partnerships, ViaMichelin will bring its travel assistance services to more consumers every day, making use of all types of digital technologies", said Alain Cuq, CEO of ViaMichelin.