Garmin® Navigation to Be Standard Equipment in Suzuki SX4
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the
global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that it would
provide an integrated navigation system for the new 2009 Suzuki SX4 as
standard equipment. The program marks the first time in America that a
vehicle under $16,000 will include GPS navigation as a standard feature.
“We’re delighted to work with Suzuki to make Garmin navigation standard
equipment on the Suzuki SX4,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president
of worldwide sales. “The device includes a fully integrated mount that
allows for elegant mounting inside the vehicle, but also makes it
easy-to-remove for adventures on foot. And Suzuki has customized it with
its own set of fun and useful destinations and points of interest.”
Based on Garmin’s popular nüvi 700 series of premium navigators, the
Suzuki T.R.I.P. (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information and Play) system
has maps of North America pre-loaded, and has a bright 4.3-inch
touchscreen display with nearly six million points of interest (POI) –
places like restaurants, hotels, ATM machines, and more.
While a base version of the navigation system will be included on these
vehicles as standard equipment, users can upgrade to a premium
navigation device with the SX4’s upgrade package. This enhanced
navigator includes next-generation dynamic content from the MSN Direct
network, including up-to-date traffic information, fuel prices, and
weather reports. The system also offers news and stock market
information, local events, movie listings, and the ability to plan trips
and look up destinations on a computer and then wirelessly send them to
the device. Owners can pair most Bluetooth-enabled phones with the
device, for hands-free calling.
The system is also uniquely integrated into the SX4’s audio system.
Drivers can listen to the radio or CD player, and the audio will
automatically lower when their navigation device gives a voice prompt or
when there’s an incoming Bluetooth-enabled phone call. Furthermore, the
MSN Direct antenna is seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s existing
antenna, and it continuously is collecting the most up-to-date data.
Suzuki is enhancing the unit’s POI database by adding a number of
lifestyle-oriented, Suzuki-recommended destinations and landmarks to the
system. These locations include hip music venues, popular surf spots,
offbeat road trip attractions and other activity-focused destinations
that are clearly marked with a Suzuki “Way of Life” icon on the
navigation screen. A dedicated community site will also be launched to
support the sharing and downloading of user-generated recommendations
for destinations and drive routes among Suzuki SX4 owners.
2009 Suzuki SX4 models are scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms this
summer.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq:
GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group
of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation,
communication and information devices and applications – most of which
are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive,
mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM
applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its
principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the
United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom
at www.garmin.com/pressroom
or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a
registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and
service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights
reserved.
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