Real-time traffic will be available on the navigation systems in BMW 3-,5- and 6-series, X5, M5 and M6 models. BMW has already begun to offer the service on some of these models, said Clear Channel.
By removing the service fee, Clear Channel said it will help broaden the market for real time traffic.
“Every time we do surveys with consumers to find out what they want and don't want, the biggest negative is always the subscription fee. They'd rather pay a one-time fee and have real-time traffic included in the life of the vehicle,” said Jeff Littlejohn, Clear Channel senior director of product development.
He added that J.D. Power and Associates recently completed a study that found that consumers chose a $1,500 navigation option on a vehicle 29 percent of the time, but when real time traffic was added (without a monthly fee) the take rate increased to 44 percent.
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