"'Commercial telematics will show the fastest market growth among all telematics segments and reach substantial penetration in six years,'" said Thilo Koslowski, vice president and director of automotive research for GartnerG2. "'Successful market adoption will depend on the availability of low-cost telematics solutions and providers' effective positioning strategies.'"

To understand the penetration of telematics products and services by U.S. commercial fleet operators, GartnerG2 and the American Transportation Research Institute surveyed 150 motor carriers via a Web-based survey during the last quarter of 2002. Respondents represent a broad range of fleet sizes, haul lengths and commodities hauled.

According the survey, the most common technology used by fleet operators today are embedded communication applications such as fixed cellular telephones and satellite-based systems that connect drivers with operators' terminals. Half of existing fleets have deployed such applications. However, only 15 percent of fleets have the ability to integrate mobile cellular phones in a hands-free, voice-activated method via a cradle or wireless solution.

"'Vehicle manufacturers should partner with technology providers to offer current customers reliable aftermarket solutions they can use to retrofit existing vehicles,'" said Koslowski. "'Offering telematics solutions now will help them grow market share in the long-term as these technologies become a key decision factor in fleet operators' buying processes.'"

Source: "GartnerG2 Survey Shows Motor Carrier Fleets Have Strong Interest in Telematics-Based Solutions," May 6, 2003