As technology makes inroads across the spectrum into the country and Indian vehicle manufacturers embrace the requirement of a holistic in-cabin experience, the need for navigation-based connected systems in Indian cars is increasing.

According to Peter Bolesza, vice-president, Emerging Markets at the Hungary-based NNG, which develops infotainment and navigation software for the global automotive market, by 2018 all Indian carmakers could implement these systems in their cars in some form or another.

Speaking to Autocar Professional at a media round table in Mumbai, Bolesza said: “At the moment, around 8 to 9 OEMs in India are using navigation-based products in some form or another in their cars as an approved product. We believe that by 2018, 100 percent of the OEMs in India will have navigation in their cars in some form, and I’m talking about approved accessories. The next three years will all be about this – it may not necessarily be a line fit, but they will have dealer-approved products for sure.” NNG, which is known for being a one-stop provider of navigation systems worldwide, is hopeful of riding this wave and plans to bag contracts from 5 or 6 carmakers in India by 2017.

"We are mostly present in the aftermarket at the moment. We have one OEM partnership in India and are really close to entering into partnerships with two more next year and another two a year later. So by 2017, we will have 5 to 6 OEM clients in here, which is a good number considering there are a total 16 OEMs in India,” Bolesza said.

The Hungary-based automotive navigation provider realised a growth of 25 percent YoY in its India operations, and forecasts a 40 percent increase in revenues for India in calendar year ending December 2015. This is in line with the expected growth of the automotive sector in India.

EYEING THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MARKET
Apart from passenger car navigation systems, NNG is also looking at the commercial vehicle segment as a potential avenue for business in India. The company is currently in talks with one of the largest commercial vehicle makers in India for implementing some of its systems.

However, at the moment the technology is expensive and may not be cost effective in India, adds Bolesza. “There is huge potential for us in the commercial vehicle industry, maybe even higher than the passenger vehicle industry. But at present, the solutions for commercial vehicles are expensive. They are not as standardised as the passenger vehicle sector and thus it will take some more time before they are feasible in India,” he says.  

NNG has been present in India since 2011 with a support office in Gurgaon at present and is mulling over setting up a pilot development centre for Indian projects by next year. The company has on offer on-board, 3D navigation applications that incorporate connected features and a universal online update portal. Its iGO navigation software is currently installed in more than 20 million devices worldwide with over 30 million orders from 34 global car brands. It has 11 offices around the world, including Hungary, Japan (2x), the United States (3x), Switzerland, Australia, Israel, India, and China.