Garmin 2007 Annual Report Download - page 32

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new Volvo C30 and Volvo XC70. The Volvo solution is a dealer-fitted accessory kit – which includes a custom
dashboard bracket – that will be sold through certain Volvo dealerships in Europe and North America.
Garmin also expanded its Garmin Mobile™ service and family of products in 2007. In October, Garmin
announced Garmin Mobile XT, a pre-loaded (microSD card) software application for certain smartphones that
provides preloaded maps and dynamic content (such as real-time traffic alerts and fuel prices) but does not require
monthly fees or subscriptions. Garmin also announced that Handmark, a global leader in the distribution of mobile
media, will distribute Garmin Mobile for BlackBerry devices enabled with GPS through Handmark’s distribution
channels.
Outdoor/ Fitness Product Introductions
In the category of fitness products, Garmin expanded its Forerunner® line with the Forerunner 50, an
advanced fitness watch that allows runners and walkers to track their workouts and automatically upload their data
(via a wireless USB ANT™ Stick) to a personal computer. Garmin also introduced its next generation GPS-enabled
personal training devices for cyclists, the Edge® 605 and 705. To help promote the release of the new Forerunner
50 product and its full line of fitness products, Garmin helped sponsor more than a dozen marathons and cycling
events in 2007, including the Boston, Chicago, and New York marathons and the Amgen Tour of California cycling
race.
Garmin also introduced several new product offerings in the Outdoor category, including the Astro™ GPS
Dog Tracking System designed for hunting dogs and two new models of the Rino® GPS two-way radio family, the
Rino 520HCx and 530HCx, which added a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and a microSD card slot for detailed
mapping data.
Marine Product Introductions
Garmin introduced the new GPSMAP 5000 series of multifunction chartplotters in 2007, which improved
upon prior multifunction displays by offering a touchscreen interface and other advancements. In November 2007,
Garmin announced a new line of marine products for the 2008 boating season, including a line of big-screen multi-
function displays, a new fuel sensor, instruments, and a new marine autopilot system (the GHP™ 10).
Aviation Product Introductions and Certifications
Garmin’s G1000 integrated avionics suite received FAA supplemental type certification (STC) in
November 2007 for incorporation into the King Air C90A/GT aircraft. Garmin is also working on Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) programs for the King Air 200 and B200 in an effort to enable the G1000 to be available as a
retrofit option for those models. In addition, announcements were made in 2007 that the G1000 integrated avionics
suite was selected as the avionics platform for the EADS SOCATA TBM 850 turboprop, the Cessna Aircraft
Company’s Caravan aircraft models, and as an option on the Piper Aircraft Saratoga II TC and Piper 6X planes.
Piper also announced that Garmin’s all-glass avionics suite was selected for the avionics platform on the
forthcoming PiperJet (scheduled delivery 2010).
Garmin also introduced the GTX 328 Mode S transponder to meet the European regulation for Mode S
implementation for VFR (visual flight rules) aircraft.
Expansion of Facilities
In April 2007, Garmin’s United Kingdom subsidiary, Garmin (Europe) Ltd., completed its move into its new
European headquarters facility in Totton, Southampton, England. This facility contains building space of
approximately 155,000 sq. ft, including more than 129,000 sq. ft of warehouse space, which serves as Garmin’s
European headquarters for distribution, marketing, and product support.