Continued..
TN: Early last year you announced the Toyota Safety Connect / Lexus Enform contract in the US. How has the response been so far from users?
ATX: We defer to Toyota to discuss the success of their programs, but there are a few key points, in general, that stand out about this program. The positive feedback we have received thus far from the field regarding high customer and dealer satisfaction has exceeded our expectations.
Dealers are actively highlighting the service during their sales process and customers continue to reach out praising their experience, highlighted around the Destination Assist and eDestination features with the Lexus Enform program.
TN: Last year you lost the BMW contract in Europe, but recently you announced your ‘self-dispatching’ solution to handle eCall in Europe. Is ATX still very much a major player in Europe or have you started to focus more on the US?
ATX: We are committed as a global telematics player, which of course includes Europe. One of our strengths is our ability to connect to global vehicle platforms while remaining flexible enough to provide local market needs.
In North America, we are continually introducing new platforms, programs and services. In Europe, we continue to provide Web-based solutions to OEMs in that market and are continually reviewing new market opportunities with our global OEM clients.
Based upon our near-decade of experience in delivering eCall service in Europe, our self-dispatching eCall solution provides a new, cost-efficient approach to address the challenges of communicating among different parties in different languages, through a variety of technical interfaces and local protocols, and using multi-modal connections to the driver (via vehicle, Web, automated voice, handset application).
Deploying connected vehicle services in Europe going forward will rely more on aggregating content and managing system interfaces, but we will still be able to leverage our extensive eCall response center experience to set requirements for linking in call center partners.
TN: Lastly, looking into the long-term future, how do you see your role (as a TSP) evolving as more vehicles are equipped with internet-connected infotainment systems?
Our primary role is to provide a robust and secure connected service on behalf of our clients to their consumers – a role that is continually evolving given the new and exciting technologies emerging within the space.
What remains constant is our focus on providing safety and security to consumers and continuous data access to the manufacturer. Our technology- driven solutions provide our clients with differentiating features that their consumers will remain excited about, both now and into the future.
We will continue to manage the communications connection or gateway between the vehicle and the outside world, providing safe and secure connections as well as the aggregation, provision and management of the content through numerous channels, including wireless, internet and satellite.
About ATX:
ATX is one of the world’s leading providers of customized connected vehicle or telematics services to global automobile manufacturers. ATX’s services, among the first to be launched in the consumer vehicle market back in 1996, are provided to vehicle owners through the brand names of its customers: Toyota, Lexus, BMW, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Mercedes-Benz Canada, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
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