MiTAC to Acquire Magellan GPS Consumer Division

Magellan Navigation’s consumer products division, which includes a range of car and handheld GPS devices, maps, and software, has been acquired by MiTAC International Corp. of Taiwan. In January, 2009, MiTAC will be adding Magellan to its list of consumer GPS brands, including Mio and Navman. Magellan brands include RoadMate and Maestro portable car GPS systems, and Triton outdoor handheld devices. This appears to me a move toward integrating premium consumer brands and higher-end retailers to the MiTAC lineup. The deal does not appear to include Magellan's professional GPS division, which includes products for land survey, marine GPS, mobile mapping, and software. Magellan devices recently reviewed here include the Maestro 4250 and the 3210. MiTAC's Mio brand has global footprint, and includes the recent Knight Rider.