Netstar, a subsidiary of JSE-listed Altron, has signed a Joint Venture Deal (JV) with international company C Ahead Technologies to offer insurance and fleet telematics in India.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith C Ahead we have found an ideal partner for us to introduce Netstar\u2019s Intellectual Property (IP) into the Asian continent. This JV is in line with our measured global expansion plans for Netstar and will diversify offshore earnings,\u201d said Altron chief executive Mteto Nyati.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe C Ahead deal is part of our commitment to partner with customers in fleet management in their digital transformation journey through data analytics and safety and security technology solutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Indian vehicle telematics market is dominated by commercial vehicles such as fleet and taxi operators, but is gaining broader popularity due to its advantages, such as safety, information, navigation, and remote diagnostics.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndia is an underpenetrated market which is in the early stages of telematics making it attractive for Netstar to enter from consumer and commercial telematics perspectives,\u201d said Pierre Bruwer, MD of Netstar.<\/p>\n
In comparison to South Africa, which has a penetration rate of over 30%, the number of connected cars in India is only expected to reach 2.6% in 2020 at current rates, according to global consultancy Roland Berger in its \u201cTelematics in India: Trends and Opportunities\u201d research.<\/p>\n
The report states that the commercial vehicle telematics market is expected to grow by around 25% per annum, led by after-market segment and entry level solutions and promoted by wireless connectivity, navigation, remote diagnostics, and safety against theft.<\/p>\n
Bruwer said optimisation of fuel costs as well as safety and security concerns were expected to drive growth in future. “Apart from commercial vehicles, the small and medium car segments offer high growth opportunities for us.”<\/p>\n
C Ahead, an IT services and solutions company with 14 years\u2019 experience, has its headquarters in the United States and offices in India, South Africa, Dubai, and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n