Automotive telematics technology have transformed the automotive industry by allowing automotive GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and automotive mapping to guide our routes, vacations and business trips while helping us to save time, money and energy. Automotive telematics offer a variety of applications to increase productivity, safety and convenience while commuting.

You can offer automotive telematics solutions to your clients to satisfy their needs and bring more business to your custom shop. There are many types of automotive telematics systems, including automotive GPS technology and a variety of embedded automotive telematics devices. To find the right automotive telematics companies to supply your needs, you should:

1. Decide on the automotive telematic services and devices you are going to offer in your custom car shop.

2. Purchase from automotive telematic companies that offer the devices you want to offer your customers.

3. Find an automotive telematic specialty custom design company for special order requests.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide on the automotive telematics services and devices you are going to offer

The automotive telematics you offer should include the most popular devices and technology on the market, including Microsoft Sync, GPS and On-Star. These features are becoming available in many new models, but can be retro-fitted into older models of cars and trucks.

I recommend: IBM is a world renowned name in electronics, so it's no surprise they are affiliated with automotive telematics as well. Contact an IBM Automotive Solutions Specialist to work out the details of the IBM telematics plans you need. Mentor Graphics specializes in embedded telematic technology that can be customized for the navigation, DVD and other automotive telematic products you need to program and install.

Purchase from automotive telematics companies

Automotive telematics companies offer a variety of products and services to help you with your telematics installations. To ensure you are getting quality products and offering quality services to your customers, stick with the companies that pioneered the automotive telematics industry.

I recommend: OnStar by GM offers a large variety of services, including navigation, satellite radio and entertainment and emergency services. The OnStar system can be customized to fit the needs of your customers. Crutchfield is one of the largest companies in aftermarket automobile electronics, offering a large supply of the most popular devices and services.

Find an automotive telematics specialty custom design company

One of the great things about automotive telematics is that the technology can be changed and fitted to the needs of your customer, whether this is a specialized system for a customer with disabilities or other specialized needs.

I recommend: Wireless Car offers telematics services to automotive manufacturers and companies. The main office is located in Sweden, but they operate their North American office from North Carolina. They can also work with companies on putting together specialty telematics services. Directed Electronics manufactures and sells customized automotive telematic devices including navigation and satellite radio.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stay on the cutting edge of the automotive telematics industry to make sure you are offering top of the line telematics technology and devices to your customers by reading trade magazines and going to electronics shows whenever possible.