Europe News: Fiat and Microsoft introduce next generation Blue&Me Nav

Sharon

Sharon Gill

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5th March 2007

Following the successful launch of Blue&Me last year, Fiat and Microsoft are set to announce the next generation – Blue&Me™ Nav.

Launched with the new Fiat Bravo, Blue&Me Nav builds on the original Blue&Me platform to offer a simple and intuitive graphical voice controlled navigation system. In addition to features offered in the current version, the new version incorporates the convenience of a competitively priced navigator, and a more easily accessible USB port.

Blue&Me Nav will also support additional telematics services. During the course of 2007, the first series of services will be launched in Italy, and then rolled out to other major European markets. These services will range from SOS, info service and insurance tracking services.

Following the launch of the Fiat Bravo, this solution will also be extended to other new Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Light Commercial Vehicles.

Further enhancements already under development include business/fleet customer services, pro-active car maintenance, and navigation without pre-loaded maps. All these services will be developed in partnership with Telecom Italia.

Since its launch last year, the original Blue&Me platform has been requested by 20% of all Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia model buyers, and the product won the Telematics Update Award for the Best Telematics Solution of the Year in May 2006.