Garmin has scored a major coup by buddying up with Hyundai to sell its nüvi 360 personal navigation device at all of the automaker's 725 dealerships across the U.S. The nüvi 360 not only navigates, but also features hands-free Bluetooth calling and other travel specific features like a database of over 6 million points of interest, a currency converter and an MP3 player with picture viewer. The small pocket-sized device mounts on your vehicle's windshield, though it can be detached and used while traveling on foot, as well. At $857.00, however, the cost of the device is anything but diminutive.
This could be a very smart move by Hyundai as well, which knows that redesigning and engineering a dash to accept a nav system and Bluetooth compatibility wouldn't be cost effective for many of its models like the lower priced Accent and Elantra. The South Korean automaker doesn't actually offer a satellite navigation system on any of its vehicles, so this could also be a stopgap measure to satisfy customers interested in such technology while Hyundai works on rolling out a factory version for its vehicles in the North American market.
[Source: Garmin]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ConceptVBS @ Oct 18th 2006 8:14PM
Hyundai has plenty of models in South Korea that already has these GPS systems in place. I have no idea why they are not implementing them, however.
Richard Hamilton @ Oct 18th 2006 9:47PM
Hyundai offers a system called SmartNav on some of it's Euro market vehicles, the Santa Fe is one. It sort of works like OnStar's new turn by turn navigation.
drolds1 @ Oct 19th 2006 2:52AM
Why in heaven's name would you pay a Hyundai dealer MSRP for a Nuvi 360 when it's vailable online for ~$600? It's not as if it requires professional installation.
John Brown @ Oct 28th 2006 10:24PM
The Azera can't be beat for its features and price except for the lack of a GPS. I want one mounted in the dash and not on the windshield. I was prepared to buy a 2007 Azera today but got turned off by the lack of a GPS and may end up buying another make as a result. (hope someone from Hyundai is reading these)