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Santa Claus Partners with NAVTEQ to Ensure a Smooth Christmas Eve

High quality map data deemed a ‘necessity’ by the North Pole Department of Transportation (NPDOT)

NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, announced today that it is working closely with the North Pole’s Department of Transportation (NPDOT) to ensure that Santa Claus has the latest NAVTEQ® map data powering his sleigh this holiday season.

In an effort to increase the efficiency, accuracy and general merriment of Santa’s long jaunt around the world on Christmas Eve, the NPDOT has identified NAVTEQ map data as the fundamental asset to his route planning.

NAVTEQ, the most widely used map for navigation*, builds the digital maps that power most in-vehicle navigation systems, as well as leading GPS device brands. Its digital map data offers accuracy, detail, reliability, and flexibility.

Continuously updated to maintain its freshness and precision, NAVTEQ digital map data not only enables chimney-to-chimney routing around the world, it contains millions of Points of Interest (POIs), making it easy to locate everything from restaurants and hotels to banks and sleigh repair shops.

Just like the “Naughty and Nice” List, the map of the world is highly complex and ever changing. In the past year alone, NAVTEQ has mapped and included many enhanced areas of content and coverage that will impact Santa’s voyage.

For example:

• A fully navigable map of Iceland is now available. Even though Santa is somewhat of a ‘local’ here, the addition of around 30,000 kilometers of road network and over 2,400 Points of Interest (POIs) will undoubtedly increase the crew’s confidence in this region. It is estimated that the Iceland leg alone will be reduced by 30 minutes thanks to NAVTEQ’s new coverage.
• Visual Content, including 3D landmarks and 3D City models, was released for 5 major cities in Brazil. Improved visual guidance and orientation in busy city environments, like Sao Paolo, will undoubtedly help Santa work his way through South America more quickly.
• Based on NAVTEQ’s proprietary fuel savings research, it is estimated that Rudolph and the other reindeer will require 5000 fewer tons of feed to fuel their flight around the world.

“We upgraded Santa’s sleigh last year, opting for a model with navigation, and were amazed at the time and energy savings seen in last year’s expedition,” commented Buddy D. Elf, Secretary of NPDOT.

“Everyone at the NPDOT, including Mr. Claus, now fully understands the value of navigation and the importance of a highly accurate and reliable map. We are excited to expand our relationship with NAVTEQ and expect to see even more marked efficiencies in this year’s Christmas Eve trek. We thank NAVTEQ for helping us realize the Christmas wishes of children around the world.”

*Based on GPS-based in-vehicle and portable route guidance devices purchased in the U.S. and Europe since 2000

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data that enables navigation and location-based platforms around the world.

NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital map information to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions.

The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 4,400 employees located in 195 offices and in 44 countries.

NAVTEQ is a trademark in the U.S. and other countries.