What is the update-able lifecycle of OEM Nav/GPS units?

**Coal_Miner** · 02-03-2009, 11:13 PM

Ford uses NavTeq maps on their OEM '09 Navigation units, and you can purchase map-POI updates on what looks like a yearly cycle. (Based on previous, '08, and '07, model years). I'm particularly interested in Ford's units, on an '09 Escape.

For how long will NavTeq offer annual updates? Let's say I keep an '09 model for 5, 8 or 10 years. At some point NavTeq will stop making the map updates for the NAV unit in the '09 models. They won't support a specific model forever, I'm guessing? Alternatively, does Ford require NavTeq to agree to make updates available for X years, such as "If we put your Nav software in our '09 vehicles, you agree to offer updates for the next 4/6/8/10 years"?

I believe an analogy here is for example Garmin or TomTom making a specific GPS model, and then after X years, they say it's obsolete, replaced by newer models and technology, and so they stop offering map updates for it.

Any insights into this appreciated.

**Coal_Miner** · 02-15-2009, 12:07 AM

Bump. Anyone with any insights?

**Bugbyte** · 02-15-2009, 01:03 PM

Most people on this forum don't use OEM nav units. We put PC's in our cars and there are a number of options for map software in that instance.

**Coal_Miner** · 02-16-2009, 12:43 PM

Thanks. Any ideas where I might find this info?

**2k1Toaster** · 02-16-2009, 02:27 PM

If you buy one with a good system, they are updatable by the manufacturer. For example Lexus does firmware updates via DVD automatically, and can load DVD data.

So anyone can make custom firmware with some knowhow and put it on the stock nav.

So as long as Lexus supports the car, they can provide a DVD for that generation nav model with new firmware and new maps. Although it will cost you $200 to $300 for the disk...

They run an embedded linux firmware, and so as soon as someone cracks it (which people already have for Toyota Gen5 navigation) sky is the limit.

**chrislamb** · 02-18-2009, 08:39 AM

I work in OE automotive.
We have to supply spares for 10 years from the end of production of the vehicle.
I guess that Sat Nav CDs have to meet the same requirement.

**Coal_Miner** · 02-20-2009, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by chrislamb

I work in OE automotive.
We have to supply spares for 10 years from the end of production of the vehicle.
I guess that Sat Nav CDs have to meet the same requirement.

One detail, The Sat Nav CDs/DVDs are warehoused and sold by a third party, NavTeq for example. Whereas pars spares are sold through Ford, Mopar, AC/Delco. That's the detail I was wondering about, the map updates (map data and unit firmware) are not sold through the OE autootive channels. And just how long will NavTeq and others supply updates, ... for a 5 yera old vehicle, for a 10 year old vehicle?

**DarquePervert** · 02-20-2009, 08:50 PM

I think you misunderstand the relationships.
NavTeq merely provides the map data to the developers of mapping software, including satellite navigation packages. NavTeq provides their data to TomTom, Microsoft, and many other companies that use the map data for some application.
n many cases, the map data has to be formatted in a way to work with the software interfaces.

That said, NAvTeq provides updated map data for many vehicle makes, as you've already determined. Considering NavTeq's role in the mapping software industry, I'd expect they will be providing map data updates for OEM satnav systems for a long time to come.