Monday, July 31. 2006

Garmin's Next Challenge: Europe

While new players like Sony enter the GPS market, the next step for Garmin will be taking on Europe. An AP article lays it out this way:

Looking ahead, Garmin officials see the next big challenge isn’t new competitors but breaking more into the European market, where it has a little more than 10 percent share. Rauckman said the market is different from the U. S. because Europeans have had more experience with GPS technology and need it more because of the sometimes chaotic road systems there. In addition, Europe lacks ubiquitous retailers like Best Buy or Wal-Mart, forcing the company to focus on individual outlets in each country.

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People in Europe frequently tell me that the reason they don't look more closely at Garmin is because of the NAVTEQ maps. They generally feel the quality of the Tele Atlas maps is better in Europe.

If that is true or not probably depends on exactly where you are as there are certainly pieces of bad mapping data from both companies. Garmin certainly has what it takes to increase their European market-share but it could take some time to put a big dent in that market.

#1 Tim (Link) on 2006-07-31 08:29 (Reply)

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In reply to	[ Top level ]#1: Tim on 2006-07-31 08:29
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