Record sales of Portable Navigation Devices in Europe

Never before have so many Portable Navigation Devices been sold in Europe as in 2008. With 18.1 million units purchased, 2008 volumes surpassed those of 2007 by 3 million, or 20 percent. Germany led the way as the most important market in Europe, with 4.375 million PNDs sold – a growth rate of 22 percent compared to 2007. Sales in Eastern Europe increased by 600 thousand to reach 1.5 million, compared to 16.6 million in Western Europe (up from 14.5 million the previous year) – a growth rate of 15 percent.

However demand weakened during the fourth quarter of 2008. From mid October, at the same time as the first wave of negative reports reached a peak, the boom dwindled; resulting in a 4 percent decrease in demand for PNDs in Europe compared to the same period in the previous year.

On the world market, estimated at 40 million units in 2008, the European market accounts for approximately 45 percent, just ahead of America at 41 percent and far ahead of the Asia/ Pacific region (13 percent).

Download the full press release including tables in English and German.