Sony is to effectively withdraw from the European GPS market after just three years, gadget site Pocket-Lint has discovered.The vendor has announced that it is planning to withdraw its current models from sales, but there are no current plans to replace them.
Speaking to a Sony spokesperson, Pocket-Lint's Amy-Mae Elliott was told: "Sony will not discontinue the GPS business, however we do not currently have plans to introduce new models during 2008 and we will discontinue existing models during 2008.
"Sony has a certain level of success in Europe, however we have considered various aspects such as position in industry, competitiveness of current product line-up and prospective PND business for next few years in Europe.
"The decision was made based on the difficulty to operate this business within its current structure by taking into account the increase in development cost, accelerating price competition and especially business profitability.
"Future model launches are continually under consideration taking into account business conditions and market situation."
The European Sat-Nav market is dominated by Tom Tom, which held almost 50 per cent of the market in 2007.
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