ATL Automotive in exclusive GPS deal

Last Wednesday, ATL Automotive announced its exclusive arrangement with Mona Geoinformatics Institute (MGI) to be sole distributor of its GPS system in Jamaica.

The announcement was made at an event held at the car dealership's Oxford Road headquarters.

The GPS navigation database, JAMNAV, was created by the University of the West Indies-based MGI two years ago. The voice-assisted system eliminates driver distractions and is easily installed to the vehicle's lighter and to the dashboard.

Brian Stevenson, managing director of ATL Autohaus, said the alliance was inevitable.

"JAMNAV is like ATL. JAMNAV is the cutting edge of their industry and we are the cutting edge of ours," Stevenson told Automotives.

Excellent product

"JAMNAV has done a wonderful thing with the introduction of the GPS system, and it's an excellent thing being done by a Jamaican organisation," he continued.

Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr, director of MGI, was excited about the agreement and said ATL was keen about the business concept.

"In speaking with different auto dealers, ATL was the one that jumped at the opportunity. They not only realised that this is a good product, but that it adds value for their customers," said Lyew-Ayee.

"This distribution arrangement is expected to result in good business for us and for ATL too," he continued.

Alexis McDonald, owner of a new Audi Q5, was elated when she learnt that she was the recipient of the JAMNAV system in her newly acquired luxury SUV.

"Of course, I was surprised, but I am also very grateful. I'm from Portland, so having this system in my car will make my travel around the island much easier and safer," she said.

The names of restaurants, schools and hospitals are programmed in the JAMNAV system as well as alternate routes to crime hot spots.

ATL Automotive is the exclusive local dealer of Audi, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Jaguar and Honda brands of motor vehicles.

- Nicholas Myers