Although the auto industry was hit pretty hard by the economic crisis, it would seem that there is still a pretty strong market for GPS navigation devices (or PNDs), even if the most important names in this segment are also recording losses and considering all sorts of crisis solutions. And, at least for TomTom, one such solution is the extension of the company's LIVE services to its mid-range PND segment by launching the new TomTom XL LIVE model.

The new PND will take advantage of some of the best-known services from TomTom, such as TomTom High Definition Traffic, which provides detailed and up-to-date real-time traffic information en route and TomTom Safety Alerts, including real-time safety camera reporting and sharing, meaning users can keep each other informed about mobile safety cameras.

Other services to be provided with the new TomTom XL Live are TomTom Fuel Prices, which offer up-to-date fuel price information, guides users to the cheapest fuel stations along routes or in their area and Online Local Search with Google. The TomTom XL LIVE also features IQ Routes, which, depending on the time of the week or hour of the day drivers set off, calculates the most efficient route for that moment derived from years of gathering anonymous historic speed measurements.

“Imagine a stress-free, safe and enjoyable journey as you drive abroad this Summer with the most detailed and up-to-date traffic information and the best routing information delivered directly to your car for a flat fee,” said Corinne Vigreux, managing director, TomTom. “With the new TomTom XL LIVE we have developed a revolutionary approach to bringing unrivalled quality and truly connected navigation to the mass market at an affordable price. On top of this it will enable frequent drivers to save money and time.”

The new TomTom XL LIVE is expected to be available starting June 2009 at a recommended retail price of 219 Euro for a regional version and a recommended retail price of 249 Euro for a European version. Also, TomTom extends the use of LIVE Services to all ‘LIVE’ countries while keeping the current monthly subscription fee of 9.95 Euro per month.


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