Location-based service provider, NAVTEQ announced the opening up of its new Global Production centre in Mumbai, India with a initial head count of 400 which will be gradually scaled to 600. The Centre is NAVTEQ’s first in the Asia Pacific region and largest for the company across the world. The move follows NAVTEQ opening up a R&D Centre in Mumbai last year.

“Asia Pacific is rapidly introducing location-aware devices and applications with significant growth potential. India plays a strategic role in shaping NAVTEQ developments throughout Asia.” stated Rich Shuman, NAVTEQ senior vice president, Asia Pacific sales. “Leveraging the talent and opportunities in India enables NAVTEQ to provide the high quality map data our customers require worldwide as well as in India.”

The Centre will focus on updating NAVTEQ’s maps in 77 countries and territories.

 “NAVTEQ is enormously proud to have the broadest footprint for high quality turn by turn navigation in the Indian market today.” emphasized Greg Edwards, vice president, digital mapping operations. “The current NAVTEQ map of India covers over 628,000 km throughout the country and has navigable coverage for 84 major cities with over 1.4 million Points of Interest (POIs).  India offers the right balance of people and technology to enhance our ability to provide the highest quality map worldwide.”

“India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and a global hub for technology.  Convergence of Mobile GPS devices and growth in smartphones in India has created demand for low cost, high quality navigation,” said Rajat Tandon, director, India sales.  “While awareness of navigation is relatively low in India versus other APAC markets, India consumers and enterprises increasingly realize the need for accurate GPS solutions that can save time and money while making it easier to find your way around. Our analysis shows there is huge potential to provide unique navigation solutions for India.”