17.4.2003
More than 100,000 Opel/Vauxhall navigation systems on the road

From Corsa to Omega, from Combo to Movano Opel/Vauxhall has sold more than 100,000 navigation systems.

During the past year Opel has sold more than 35,000 cars with an affordably priced, factory-installed navigation system, nearly 30,000 of those in Germany.

Overall since 1988 more than 100,000 customers worldwide (50,000 in Germany) have opted for an Opel/Vauxhall vehicle equipped with a navigation system. Opel/Vauxhall offers navigation systems from the Corsa to the new Meriva, the 'jack of all trades' Combo Tour and the Vivaro and Movano commercial vehicles.

Executive Director of Engineering, Hans H. Demant explains says: "For a long time a navigation system was an expensive extra for an exclusive clientele. At Opel/Vauxhall we are making navigation technology increasingly available to a much broader range of customers."

Last year in Germany, new systems were installed in 46.6% of all Omegas, the highest rate of any Opel/Vauxhall model. This is due largely to the fact that a good number of Omega drivers use their cars for work. However more than a fifth (22.1%) of all Vectra customers chose a navigation system, while for the Zafira and Astra the rate is 9.4% and 5.9% respectively.

There are numerous scientific studies that show that driving in city traffic is made easier when a navigation system is in use. A study conducted at the University of Cologne showed that test-drivers using a navigation system were as stress-free as they are when traveling with a passenger familiar with the city. The traditional method of looking at a road map while driving has been proven to be extremely dangerous. Johann Nowicki, an expert advisor for consumer protection electronic systems at the German automobile club (ADAC) explains the problem: "When a driver travels with a city map on his or her lap then critical situations are preprogrammed." The danger should not be underestimated. A driver going 50 kilometers per hour who looks at a road map for just three seconds has taken his or her eyes off the road and traveled "blind" for nearly 42 meters.

According to researchers the best information delivery method is spoken instructions communicated in a clear and easily understandable voice. Rapidly comprehensible, concise diagrams, such as maps with arrows, are considered suitable optical support, but drivers use them infrequently and only look at them briefly, on average for only 0.6 seconds. The additional electronic map, in the experts' point of view, is more of an additional comfort feature.

Opel/Vauxhall have designed its navigation systems with these safety considerations in mind. "All of our systems work with spoken instructions and directional arrows in the display," says Wolfgang Zabel, Manager of Infotainment Development at Opel. "The system is deliberately placed high up on the instrument panel in a central position, where it can be easily seen by the driver," he adds.

Opel/Vauxhall offers seven different navigation systems, all come with a high-quality, integrated stereo CD radio. A color monitor with map display and zoom function can be ordered for many models. The top models also feature an additional telematics unit combined with an integrated mobile telephone. All Opel/Vauxhall navigation systems process information from the Traffic Message Channel (TMC), which makes dynamic navigation possible, allowing drivers to automatically receive detour routes in order to avoid congested traffic.