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In the fall of 1996, BMW introduced to the North American market an optional factory installed vehicle navigation and information system on its 5 Series and 7 Series automobiles. This paper introduces the reader to the various features and benefits of this system which represent a precursor to what will be broadly available technology by the early 21st century.

Although popular in Japan and Europe, vehicle navigation systems have not yet been established as a viable offering in America. This paper will discuss the current infrastructure in America which is now ready for navigation implementation. The change factors that will facilitate system acceptance include: the development and introduction of proven products such as the CARiN vehicle navigation system, the recent availability of tested nationwide digital map database coverage, and the proliferation of cellular telephone service, which augments vehicle navigation capabilities.