Without a doubt, Garmin is one of the world's best-known suppliers of GPS equipment, its product range covering pretty much every tiny slice of the market. And now, it seems that the company has scored a pretty major deal with US automaker Chrysler, since it's been chosen to supply the in-dash navigation for the new 2011 model year Chrysler Grand Cherokee.

According to Garmin, this deal marks its first major automotive navigation system to be installed at the factory and will combine Garmin’s user interface with Chrysler’s Uconnect radio, equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display. The navigator includes highly detailed Navteq maps of North America with nearly six million points of interest, other Garmin-specific navigation features.

So, for example, the future system will provide access to the Lane Assist function, which guides drivers to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, as well as Junction View, which realistically displays 3D road signs and junctions on one's route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation. The system will also deliver such data as the speed limit & current speed, and will be able to speak out the street names.

“Garmin is uniquely positioned to quickly bring the latest and greatest navigation technology to an in-dash environment – priced at a level that mainstream drivers can afford,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and chief operating officer. “Being a navigation provider for Chrysler is a significant and long sought-after achievement for our company. We look forward to collaborating with them on this exciting project.”

Now, leaving aside for just a second Garmin's deal with Chrysler, there's only one thing that's a bit worrying here. So, as we all know only too well, the US auto industry is not doing too well right now, so it remains to be seen whether there will actually be a 2011 Chrysler Grand Cherokee to install Garmin's navigation system into.


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