DALLAS-Mannesmann TeleCommerce GmbH and its telematics division Passo purchased an approximate 20-percent equity stake in Dallas-based telematics service provider ATX Technologies Inc., the companies announced.
“We share with ATX the same vision for telematics,” said Michael Sonnenschein, managing director of Mannesmann TeleCommerce GmbH.
Both companies said they see this investment as a significant step in providing telematics and location-based services in the United States and Europe. This liaison will benefit their mutual customer-auto manufacturers-which need global telematics solutions, ATX said.
“For years our customers have asked us to support their European telematics efforts and until now we have not been able to help,” said Steve Millstein, ATX president and chief executive officer. “By providing common, trans-Atlantic telematics services, we will be able to reduce costs for automotive companies and their customers by using a common wireless protocol and common hardware platforms.”
Mannesmann TeleCommerce and Passo provide Global System for Mobile communications-based telematics services in Germany, with plans to launch in the United Kingdom later this year. Passo’s customers include BMW.
ATX provides telematics services in North America through such customers as Mercedes-Benz, Ford Motor Co., Lincoln-Mercury, Jaguar and the Infiniti division of Nissan Motors.
