OnStar Leads Market in Telematics

OnStar Tops New ABI Research Consumer Telematics Vendor Matrix Ranking

OnStar has been ranked at the top of the latest Consumer Telematics Vendor Matrix released by ABI Research.

BMW and Nissan claimed the second and third spots in the company’s most recent evaluation of worldwide consumer telematics vendors.

The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tool developed by ABI Research to provide a clear understanding of vendors’ positions in specific markets.

“This updated vendor matrix shows that considerable progress has been made in consumer telematics solutions across the world with representatives from North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific in the top three,” says ABI Research principal analyst Dominique Bonte.

Vendors are assessed by ABI Research on the important parameters of “innovation” and “implementation” across several criteria unique to each vendor matrix.

“OnStar emerges as the clear market leader of consumer telematics solutions,” Bonte adds, “excelling in both innovation (with the largest number of features) and implementation, with its solution offered on all GM models. It also runs efficient marketing and communication campaigns. BMW recently announced that from 2008 all its new vehicles in Europe will be equipped with Internet access as part of the ConnectedDrive solution, and is one of the first car manufacturers to embrace much-needed standardization. Nissan excels in innovation with its CarWings telematics solution offered in Japan. It collects its own traffic data based on probe data, and has introduced social networking features.”

For this particular matrix, under “innovation,” ABI Research examined the availability of key features such as infotainment, emergency calling, stolen vehicle tracking, roadside assistance and remote diagnostics. It also considered new features such as insurance solutions, social networking and connectivity to external devices.

Under “implementation,” ABI Research scrutinized the following criteria: the service’s quality and reliability; the number and quality of the company’s partnerships; the number of subscribers and service plans; regional coverage; the ability to scale; the compliance with standards, and the execution of the marketing and communications strategy.

To view a list of the “top ten” firms in this Vendor Matrix, please visit Global OEM Telematics Vendor Matrix. Registration on the ABI Research website (free) is required. Access to the rankings and profiles of all companies surveyed is available to clients of ABI Research.

This Vendor Matrix forms part of ABI Research’s Location Aware Services Research Service. For a list of all ABI Research Vendor Matrices, please visit The ABI Research Vendor Matrix.

ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit http://www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.