Article: When luxury becomes a necessity, Navteq grows; Carmakers starting to offer navigational units for mid-priced vehicles.(mapping systems in automobiles)

Byline: SHRUTI DATE SINGH

Automakers are starting to offer navigational systems on trucks and mid-priced cars, creating a clear path to growth for Navteq Corp.

The Chicago computer mapping firm got 82% of its $392.8 million in revenues last year from the automobile industry, which so far has mostly offered navigation systems in luxury cars and high-priced sport-utility vehicles. Its largest customer is BMW A.G., whose pricey German imports account for 16% of Navteq's revenues.

The problem-and the opportunity-is that luxury cars, selling for $50,000 and up, account for only about 2% of automobiles sold in North America.

As more automakers begin offering mapping ...

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