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Rectron snares TomTom

By Christelle du Toit, ITWeb senior journalist
Johannesburg, 16 Jul 2008

Rectron has stepped in to distribute GPS navigation device TomTom in SA. This follows the surprise termination of the two-year relationship between the Core Group and the Dutch manufacturer.

Zandre Rudolph, Rectron sales director in SA, admits that competitor Garmin has the lion's share of the market, but maintains the new partnership is a "fresh start" that will drive sales domestically.

"The aim is to take a significant part of their market share, and we have some ideas about that."

He says the Dutch company, TomTom, hopes to launch some new products with this in mind before Christmas, but he cannot yet provide more details.

In the meantime, Garmin is expanding its market share as it enters the cellphone market, with the Samsung Ani780 phone coming out with GPS as well as Garmin for life.

Nonetheless, Rudolph says TomTom's functionality is superior and will be the main motivator for sales.

He cites TomTom's recent acquisition of TeleAtlas as a driver of more up-to-date maps, as well as the interactive element of the product that allows users to constantly update maps for an entire community to access.

Related stories:
Core bounces back
TomTom to stay in SA
Core drops TomTom
TomTom bomb puzzles

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