LOS ANGELES-Consumer interest in location-based services, navigation and telematics is strong, particularly among the youngest subset of cellular users, according to a new study from Driscoll-Wolfe.
Research findings showed 62 percent of 6,500 respondents would pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a package of telematics services available via in-vehicle systems. System capabilities would include emergency and collision notification, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, navigation assistance, finding points of interest, traffic information, vehicle diagnostics and monitoring family vehicles. However, “there is considerable price resistance above $10 a month,” reported Driscoll-Wolfe.
Young motorists expressed more willingness to pay for the telematics services, with 81 percent of respondents under 25 years-old willing to pay. Meanwhile, 65 percent of respondents between 45 and 54 years old were willing to pay and just 49 percent of respondents over 65 years old said they were willing to pay.
Meanwhile, 53 percent of another group of 6,500 respondents said they would pay $2.95 per month for unlimited use of at least one of the following location-based services accessible via cellular device: roadside assistance, emergency notification, navigation assistance, locating family and friends, traffic information, finding points of interest or entertainment.
Younger respondents also showed stronger interest in subscribing to location-based services, and expressed the most interest in navigation assistance, locating friends and family and finding points of interest, according to Driscoll-Wolfe.