In-dash mobile nav growth beats portable navigation

25 Aug 2009

Even as the most popular market segment, portable navigation, takes a back seat in sales, in-dash mobile navigation is continuing to see growth.

Sales of in-dash mobile navigation units grew 26% in June compared with June 2008, while PND unit sales grew only 4, constated market research company NPD Group's retail tracking service. Showing strenghth all year, in-dash mobile navigation reached unit sales up 36% for the period January - June, despite lower-cost options such as PNDs and strong consumer adoption of GPS-enabled handsets. Additionally, the decline in average price, which has dropped by 26% year-on-year to June average of around $700, boosts in-dash nav sales.

According to Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis at NPD, aftermarket in-dash navigation units are an attractive option to consumers who want a large-screen navigation experience and advanced multimedia features.