By Olubunmi Adeniyi
Lagos. February 4, 2013: Nokia has signed a deal with Toyota to integrate part of its HERE mapping services in the Japanese car maker’s new cars that will become available in 2014.
The deal will help drivers of Toyota cars access mapping information and other community-generated content such as reviews using Nokia’s HERE platform.
According to Nokia, Toyota Motor is the latest automotive brand to select the HERE platform’s Nokia Local Search for Automotive to power its next generation Touch & Go navigation and infotainment systems.
By leveraging Nokia Local Search for Automotive, Toyota drivers will have fast and easy online access to the latest high-quality industry mapping information and community-generated content – including millions of ratings, reviews and images fed directly into their cars, Nokia says.
The phone maker notes that the introduction of this service demonstrates how Nokia’s HERE business is continuing to extend its industry-leading portfolio of products to meet the needs of its automotive customers.
Commenting on the deal, Derek Williams, General Manager, Telematics and Multimedia, Toyota Motor Europe says the ability to deliver comprehensive and driver-relevant content tailored to automotive requirements makes the Nokia Location Platform an interesting proposition.
“It is an excellent basis for creative location-centric concepts and we are delighted to bring this technology to our customers. Nokia Local Search for Automotive is expected to be commercially available in Toyota systems from early 2014 in Europe, Russia and the Middle East,” Williams adds.
Moving forward, Toyota Motor Europe will collaborate with Nokia to study more services that leverage the Nokia Location Platform, including best-in-class content.
Eric Fumat, Vice President Sales and Business Development EMEA, Nokia Location and Commerce says that Nokia and Toyota share the same vision of what the in-vehicle location experience should be – immersive, always on.
Fumat says the announcement underlines Nokia’s commitment to providing fresh content and services to the auto industry so it can deliver innovative consumer solutions adding that the company is currently the leading company providing end-to-end mapping, navigation and location solutions for the automotive industry.
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