Garmin available on the Focus, C-Max, Kuga, new Fiesta, Transit and Transit Connect

Garmin, the global leader in portable satellite navigation, today announced it has strengthened its relationship with Ford Europe by developing a unique mounting solution that allows seamless integration of the award winning Garmin nüvi 760 to the vehicles electronics. Available on the Focus, C-Max, Kuga, new Fiesta, Transit and Transit Connect, this is Ford’s first genuine portable navigation system available at select dealerships across mainland Europe.

Roger Jollis, Garmin’s Director of OEM & Mobile Marketing said, “Ford has not only recognized the continuing demand for portable navigation but has also improved it by designing a convenient plug and play solution that does not obstructed the driver’s field of vision. The nüvi 760 is an ideal solution as it is packed full of features which in 2008 have been recognised by leading automotive publications as the best Sat Nav in its class.”

Wolfgang Köhler, Project Manager, VP Product Strategy and C-Platform FCSD-E Vehicle Personalization, Ford of Europe said, “Ford wanted to offer their customers a quality navigation experience and our partnership with Garmin led us to choose the nüvi 760. The design of the mount and user interface allows drivers to navigate safely while enjoying driving. Our premium version of the mount includes a traffic receiver which will allow Ford customers to avoid traffic and save on journey times.”

This partnership enables Ford owners to mount a standard nüvi directly to the interior trim, near the driver’s wing mirror rather than to the windshield via a traditional suction cup mount. Ford’s mounting system was designed specifically to be positioned for optimal use by the driver and meets Ford’s strict safety requirements. The special mount, available for left hand drive cars, is powered by the vehicle and eliminates the need for exposed power cables. The mount charges the nüvi’s built-in battery so that the device may also be used outside of the car when navigating a city as a pedestrian. A traffic receiver can also be added to the mount, enabling the nüvi to receive traffic updates. Based on Garmin’s nüvi 760, Ford’s portable navigation device combines advanced technology with a user-friendly interface to ensure an intuitive and easy navigation experience.

The nüvi 760 offers a large 4.3″ bright widescreen which is easily readable in bright sunlight and has some of the most advanced navigational functions available. Including, traffic avoidance, safety camera alerts and hands free calling via a Bluetooth connection.

Touching the vehicle icon brings up information on ‘where am I?’ giving the nearest address, longitude & latitude points and junction, police station, hospitals and fuel stations. There is also full seven digit postcode search, multipoint route planning and a tracklog function for viewing routes in Google Earth. Also, features include ‘automatic position marking’, where the device remembers where the car is parked and help drivers find their way back to the vehicle in unfamiliar surroundings.

The nüvi 760 is super slim and lightweight making it easy to fit in a jacket pocket or bag, The unit can also be removed and used in other cars, with the optional power cable and suction cup or for pedestrian navigation.