MINI USA Offers Real-Time Traffic Info

Official MINI Press Release: MINI USA announces that it is offering Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network traffic data on navigation-equipped 2007 MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops beginning March production. The service, which is integrated into the vehicle’s optional navigation system, will come standard and free-of-charge for Clear Channel Radio’s traffic service, which is now available in 44 markets across the U.S. The real time traffic information provided will allow MINI drivers to avoid potential delays due to traffic congestion or road closures
“The MINI Cooper and the MINI Cooper S are fun to drive, so it makes sense to offer Clear Channel’s real time traffic data service, allowing MINI drivers to avoid traffic tie-ups and keep on motoring,†said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. “And adding traffic information standard with our navigation system means customers won’t have to pay recurring subscription fees to access the service.â€ÂÂ
“We are excited that MINI is now offering our traffic data as part of its navigation system on select models,†said Jeff Littlejohn, Executive Vice President of Distribution Development for Clear Channel Radio. “MINI is part of a growing list of Total Traffic Network partners, including BMW that are able to provide customers with reliable, high-quality, real-time traffic improving navigation in some of the country’s most congested cities.â€ÂÂ
About Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network
Clear Channel Radio is the first broadcaster to launch a ground-breaking programming and technology service delivering real-time traffic data directly to vehicles, using its own network of reporters, traffic cameras, helicopters and airplanes — Total Traffic Network. Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network now serves more than 125 metropolitan markets in three countries, including the United States, Mexico and New Zealand. Total Traffic Network delivers real-time traffic data via in-car or portable navigation systems, broadcast media, wireless and Internet-based services. For more information, please log on to www.realtimetraffic.net.
Customers currently using Total Traffic Network’s real-time reports include BMW of North America, Garmin International, Nextel, Verizon Wireless, Kenwood Electronics, Tom Tom Navigator GPS, MSN Autos, MapPoint, Cingular QPass, ATX, AAA, Rand McNally, Weatherbug, Microsoft SPOT, Siemens VDO, Mio Technology, and Cobra Electronics.
MF Analysis: This press release confirms what we reported last fall. Look for each subsequent model to feature the same system as they are introduced.
15 Comments
too bad clear channel is one of the worst companies of all time.
Is the nav system voice-controllable this time? I found the previous-gen nav system pretty hard to use. I’m not real impressed by those screenshots…the map is way too cluttered with different colors and icons. It would be hard to read at a quick glance.
A nice step but not quite the Drive Assist that BMWs are getting soon:
<a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/08/germans-send-data-straight-from-google-maps-to-bmws/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/08/germans-send-data-straight-from-google-maps-to-bmws/</a>
Would you be able to turn the feature on and off? The display is defenitly sub par to what we now have with the MINI NAV.
Google Maps with traffic on my Blackberry is all I need.
<blockquote>A nice step but not quite the Drive Assist that BMWs are getting soon</blockquote>
<blockquote>A nice step but not quite the Drive Assist that BMWs are getting soon</blockquote>
The two things are hardly related. The navtraffic is for rerouting around heavy traffic. Drive assist is for transferring the destination address from google maps. I assume MINI will have drive assist as soon as it gets the BMW/MINI assist system.
Gabe, I’ve heard different stories on this. One line is that it’s free for the life of the car; the other says it’s only free for the first year or two. Have you heard anything about that?
I hope there is an upgrade path or add-on for those who already have the Nav system. It can be a pain with google maps on my crackberry to look up traffic and drive… I love my nav but would like traffic avoidance option…
I hope there is an upgrade path or add-on for those who already have the Nav system. It can be a pain with google maps on my crackberry to look up traffic and drive… I love my nav but would like traffic avoidance option…
Has anyone out here ever actually used a Traffic Info system like this and had a possitive experience from it? I typically travel in a pretty congested area of the Philadelphia suburbs. If there is a blocked road from an accident I typically will try to take a detour… only to find that 5000 other motorists did the same thing. Grid lock is grid lock in my book, there are no more “short cuts”.
>I hope there is an upgrade path or add-on for those who already have the Nav system. It can be a pain with google maps on my crackberry to look up traffic and drive… I love my nav but would like traffic avoidance option…
Completely different system with different hardware. Unfortunately an upgrade would be impossible.
>Has anyone out here ever actually used a Traffic Info system like this and had a possitive experience from it?
I have a Garmin Nuvi 600 that has real-time traffic info as well. It’s a life saver if your in a large city as it actually allows you to make quick route decisions that make a difference.
<blockquote>I’ve heard different stories on this. One line is that it’s free for the life of the car; the other says it’s only free for the first year or two. Have you heard anything about that?</blockquote>
According to this article, <a href="http://www.technoride.com/article/MINI+Cooper+Review+Performance+Technology+and+Comfort/201069_2.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.technoride.com/article/MINI+Cooper+Review+Performance+Technology+and+Comfort/201069_2.aspx</a> , the RTTI is free for the life of the car.
I have a 07 coming with a nav system and am anxious to see if I am getting what I paid for. I drove an
Acura TL and was impressed with their voice command feature and ability to find a local restaurant, however, when I read review on that system, they said all clear channel info was late. Where they said there was a slow down, there wasn’t. Where they said there was an accident, it was gone – no chance to rubber neck.
I guess the Navteq/SIRIUS deal must have died, at least from the perspective of MINIs…
<a href="http://motoringfile.com/2004/12/16/navteq_signs_deal_with_sirius/" rel="nofollow">MotoringFile » Archive » Navteq signs deal with SIRIUS</a>