Magellan and AAA/CAA partner for fleet dispatch system

Magellan, a manufacturer of GPS personal navigation devices for vehicles, fitness, outdoor and mobile navigation, and the American Automobile Association (AAA), North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization,  announced the renewal of the companies' previous multi-year partnership. The extended partnership provides drivers with continued availability of valuable AAA travel and automotive resources on Magellan RoadMate portable vehicle navigation devices. The companies also announce a new integration between the Magellan RoadMate Commercial 5190T navigation unit and AAA's D/2000 dispatch system.

"The AAA/CAA Magellan partnership is a very successful example of how we are integrating consumer technology into our core services. Mobile applications have become especially important to how AAA/CAA meets the needs of our members," said Marshall L. Doney, AAA National Vice President, Automotive, Financial Services and e-Business. "AAA/CAA content availability on Magellan's RoadMate navigation products was one of our first mobile deployments and it continues to be very popular with our members and clubs. I'm also excited about the integration of the Magellan RoadMate 5190T unit with our roadside assistance dispatch system. It will improve fleet productivity, accuracy and increase association awareness about the benefits of the Magellan relationship."

All Magellan RoadMate personal navigation devices include AAA/CAA TourBook information which provides drivers with instant access to listings and descriptions of AAA Diamond-Rated restaurants and accommodations, as well as attractions, events and campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada. Also included are Show Your Card & Save locations for member discounts, AAA Approved Auto Repair and club-owned repair shops and AAA branch office locations.

If a vehicle requires roadside assistance, motorists can access the Magellan RoadMate to identify the location of the vehicle and obtain the necessary information required to request AAA roadside assistance. AAA/CAA call operators then apply the location data to dispatch service. Through the partnership, AAA/CAA members also save on the purchase of Magellan personal navigation devices, accessories and map updates.

"Magellan is committed to giving drivers the best navigation experience with content and features that enhance the safety and convenience of auto travel," said Peggy Fong, President of MiTAC Digital Corporation. "Our exclusive partnership with AAA/CAA gives motorists the best travel resources combined with the dependable PND hardware they need for everyday navigation."  

Expanded partnership for dispatch systems

Reflecting the success of the Magellan and AAA/CAA alliance, the companies have expanded their partnership to begin integrating the Magellan RoadMate Commercial 5190T navigator with AAA/CAA's D/2000 dispatch system. Road service operators will be able to use the Magellan RoadMate device for automated electronic navigation to the location where roadside assistance is required.

According to Rick Lorenz, AAA's Director of Wireless Program Development and Fleet Communications, "Timely arrival to a breakdown location is a critical component to member safety and road service network productivity. AAA's ability to pinpoint breakdown location and navigate to a particular street address is enhanced with Magellan navigation." 

"The integration of the AAA dispatch system with our RoadMate 5190T is one of the first deployments of our complete fleet management solution," said Stig Pedersen, Associate Vice President of Product Management for Magellan. "We are very excited to be an integral part of the AAA dispatch system. Our companies rapidly integrated the project and we are pleased that it further proved the capability of our Fleet API."

Since 2007, over 3.2 million of Magellan personal navigation devices have been manufactured with AAA/CAA content for sale to consumers in North America.