Garmin in talks to buy Navigon

[mvl]

According to the Financial Times in Germany, Garmin is in talks to buy Navigon.

See here.

 

[canderson]

According to the Financial Times in Germany, Garmin is in talks to buy Navigon.

Have to wonder why? It's a small share even in Europe. I wonder if there's some specific IP that Garmin is after that they either need or don't think Navigon has exploited well enough? Or perhaps Garmin is tired of licensing certain features from them and figures it's cheaper to buy them now? I suspect even TomTom has to obtain a license for their version of the 'reality' lane view feature. Navigon was early to the party with some now-common features. Have never looked at their patent portfolio.

 

[gatorguy]

They can be had cheap, less than $80M in all likelihood, have a high-profile mobile presence in Apple's Appstore where Garmin does not, and probably have some patent's with value in their portfolio. Plus one less competitor.