eLetter Sign UpProjects: Telematics Consortium-Reducing Emissions and Vehicle Maintenance Costs
Netistix is leading the charge to create a product and a business case to reduce vehicle emissions among consumers.
In October of 2005, Netistix was awarded funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (www.sdtc.ca) to develop a telematics product – and an associated business case for the product – that will help change consumer driver behavior in Canada. The goal of the project is to successfully reduce emissions, fuel and lifecycle costs for car owners while improving vehicle reliability and safety.
The $1.4-millon project centres on the expertise and technology that Netistix has gained through development and marketing of its FleetPulse™ product. That technology will be optimized and remarketed for the consumer audience. Fundamental to the success of the project is the strong partnerships that Netistix is forming with organizations within the vehicle emissions ecosystem.
Petro-Canada Certigard says it is excited to be part of the project. Petro-Canada continually seeks to support efforts to develop plans to reduce GHG emissions while protecting economic opportunity and encouraging investment in technological solutions. Peter Bridger, the company’s National Programs and Business Development Manager, says, “We are committed to supporting initiatives that help Canadians drive safe, reliable vehicles while reducing overall emission levels. The SDTC project spearheaded by Netistix fits with our position on the environment.” More about Petro-Canada’s position on the environment can be found at www.petro-canada.com
Market analysis is also being prepared. Surveys of the general public will help the consortium to address emissions reduction in the most compelling way for consumers. “We want to understand what messages will cause consumers to act and change behavior on emissions reduction,” Prue adds. “That information will be critical as we develop the product interface, business case and marketing.”
Woronczuk elaborates: “We may find that consumers are more interested in saving money on fuel or service costs than they are in reducing emissions, idling or speed. But, all of those factors contribute to reduced emissions, so an important part of the project is to craft the business model and messages to change all those behaviours.”
Stay tuned to the FleetPulse Newsletter and to www.netistix.com for updates on the project, which is expected to be complete in about 18 months.
In October of 2005, Netistix was awarded funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (www.sdtc.ca) to develop a telematics product – and an associated business case for the product – that will help change consumer driver behavior in Canada. The goal of the project is to successfully reduce emissions, fuel and lifecycle costs for car owners while improving vehicle reliability and safety.
The $1.4-millon project centres on the expertise and technology that Netistix has gained through development and marketing of its FleetPulse™ product. That technology will be optimized and remarketed for the consumer audience. Fundamental to the success of the project is the strong partnerships that Netistix is forming with organizations within the vehicle emissions ecosystem.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE MARKET REPRESENTATION
The Automotive Industries Association Canada (AIA) and Petro-Canada Certigard are participating in the project as representatives of the auto service industry. Service stations will play a key role in developing the business model required to encourage consumers and/or car manufacturers to include telematics devices in vehicles. The telematics information will be downloaded at points of presence residing at service stations, leading to more effective preventative maintenance and create more customer loyalty.Petro-Canada Certigard says it is excited to be part of the project. Petro-Canada continually seeks to support efforts to develop plans to reduce GHG emissions while protecting economic opportunity and encouraging investment in technological solutions. Peter Bridger, the company’s National Programs and Business Development Manager, says, “We are committed to supporting initiatives that help Canadians drive safe, reliable vehicles while reducing overall emission levels. The SDTC project spearheaded by Netistix fits with our position on the environment.” More about Petro-Canada’s position on the environment can be found at www.petro-canada.com
EMISSIONS EXPERTISE
Also onboard is Jacques Whitford, one of North America’s largest firms of environmental engineers, scientists and consultants focused on solving environmental issues. They, along with Carleton University, will provide research and guidance on emission analysis and reduction strategies.A POTENTIAL CRM TOOL FOR AUTOMOTIVE
Netistix continues to develop other relationships within the scope of the project. John Woronczuk, VP of Marketing at Netistix, explains, “The implications are vast for this widely dispersed and conveniently located vehicle download points of presence. Other related transportation industry participants we are pursuing include insurance companies, auto clubs and repair organizations that could use this model as a customer relationship management tool to increase revenues and customer loyalty.”PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT
On the technology front, product definition and project planning are underway. “The foremost challenge we’ll be addressing on the product is miniaturization and cost reduction to make it suitable for the consumer market,” explains Greg Prue, Director of Product Management, at Netistix.Market analysis is also being prepared. Surveys of the general public will help the consortium to address emissions reduction in the most compelling way for consumers. “We want to understand what messages will cause consumers to act and change behavior on emissions reduction,” Prue adds. “That information will be critical as we develop the product interface, business case and marketing.”
Woronczuk elaborates: “We may find that consumers are more interested in saving money on fuel or service costs than they are in reducing emissions, idling or speed. But, all of those factors contribute to reduced emissions, so an important part of the project is to craft the business model and messages to change all those behaviours.”
Stay tuned to the FleetPulse Newsletter and to www.netistix.com for updates on the project, which is expected to be complete in about 18 months.
