VICS units installed in car navigation equipment have also spread rapidly, and cumulative shipment exceeded 4.98 million units in June 2002, since the start of service in April 1996. More than 85% of car navigation equipment shipped in 2001 was compatible with VICS, which grew by 170% compared to the previous year.
Among the reasons for such rapid popularization of VICS are the increasing needs for real-time road traffic information, and also the enlargement of areas covered by the service. Other contributing factors include the rapid increase of car navigation equipment incorporating VICS receivers, and strong shipments of car navigation equipment that have resulted in price reductions.
Over 4.98 million VICS units already in use
