According to Renesas Technology, a major supplier of the chipsets that power in-car navigation systems, US consumers just aren't all that interested in GPS navigation. Of the 17 million or so vehicles sold in the US last year, only 300,000 had navigation systems—and that includes aftermarket additions. Contrast that to Japan, where fourth-fifths of all cars sold last year had navigation units installed. There's an easy explanation, of course: GPS displays take up one more space we could use to hold our beer.

Renesas says they guess widespread adoption won't occur in the US until prices drop into the $500 range, down from the current $2,500 or so.

Car navigation unsuccessful in US [ElectronicsWeekly]

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