Will Factory-Backed Navigation Systems Disappear?

From Car and Driver

October's issue includes our annual 20 Questions feature. You can find this and 19 other questions–and answers–there.

Absolutely, but evolution is slow, and we probably won't notice they're gone until they are. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay accomplish most of what factory setups do, but some manufacturers still see value in providing their own navigation systems.

FCA says it's committed to Uconnect, wherein the nav can interact with other vehicle systems to provide a useful service. For instance, it can automatically locate the nearest dealer when your car needs an oil change—something that these third-party interfaces can't do. But even if car companies don't want to rely on smartphones for in-car navigation, they still depend on others for their maps.

FCA's are supplied by TomTom. Audi and Tesla get theirs from Google. It's only a matter of time before the factory nav system no longer makes financial sense and automakers stop trying to keep up.

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