Wireless Logic’s mapping partner HERE has how left the Nokia family and is under new ownership. Information from HERE’s Press Department follows:
We are delighted to inform you that HERE is taking the next step on its journey as a mapping and location technology company.
On Friday 4 December, after just over four months, we saw the earlier-than-expected closing of the acquisition of HERE by a consortium of leading German automotive companies from Nokia. Anti-trust authorities all over the world swiftly approved the transaction without conditions. Backed by the Consortium, which comprises AUDI AG, BMW Group and Daimler AG, we are now moving full steam ahead with our plans to accelerate the deployment of real-time maps to benefit people and businesses around the world.
Our long-term strategy is secured through a new governance structure, safeguarded by a supervisory board that will consist of representatives of the new owners and independent, recognized industry leaders. AUDI AG, BMW Group and Daimler AG do not seek to gain joint control of HERE and, as previously stated, there is a clear separation between their roles as customers, suppliers and investors.
In addition, our new shareholders have made it very clear that HERE will remain open to customers from all industries. HERE will also be open to other investors who would create an even broader shareholder structure. All this ensures that HERE’s unequivocal commitment to openness and independence is firmly established.
We are firmly convinced that with the strong support of our new shareholders we will be able to serve our valued customers with better products and services than ever before. We will, for instance, explore the possibility of incorporating anonymised data from Audi, BMW and Daimler vehicles. Already today, we are doing this with some of our customers, and plan to enter similar discussions with more industry participants too in the coming months. This is great news as this massive quantity of additional data will help us raise the quality of our map and enhance our location platform for all customers, in turn improving our product portfolio and generating new services.
We also aim to strengthen our market position in automotive and expand our consumer and enterprise businesses through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, as well as organic growth. We expect to create most value in the following areas:
Enabling smarter urban mobility for people: by combining dynamic data from different sources, utilising mobility profiling and aggregating urban mobility solutions, we will deliver comprehensive, dynamic maps and relevant information into the hands of millions of people to help them with their journey or discover something new.
Enabling the next stage in the evolution of the car: by creating high definition live maps, cloud-based vehicle sensor processing capabilities and new embedded and companion experiences, we will power precise, highly contextual and deeply personal guidance solutions for vehicles as they become increasingly automated and, ultimately, fully autonomous.
Enabling enterprises and governments to manage their assets in smarter ways and foster a new era of transportation: by providing the most comprehensive offering of map and platform tools, we will help organisations analyse their own data with location context to make decisions that increase the productivity and efficiency of their mobile and fixed assets. Also, by making the map the nerve centre of intelligent transportation systems for cities and governments, we will help create new types of cooperative intelligent transportation systems which are affordable, effective and scalable.
Today’s announcement in no way changes our ongoing business relationship or the service levels customers have come to expect from us. We remain committed to delivering the world’s most accurate mapping data, intelligent location-based products and personalised services, in turn helping you to create unique experiences for your customers.
HERE is now entering a new phase. We are excited about what lies ahead and confident that the strategic course of HERE, along with our new governance structure, will drive the next phase of our growth and ensure that we not only meet your evolving needs, but exceed them.
