Apple Asks Autonavi to Guide its iOS 6 Maps for China

Screenshots of Autonavi's maps inside the new Apple Maps app for iOS 6.

Apple has selected a Chinese mapping partner in the form of Autonavi (NASDAQ:AMAP) to provide the local images and routes for its revamped Maps app in iOS6. Since online maps are deemed a national security issue in China, it was inevitable that Apple’s new global mapping partner, TomTom, would have to be replaced since the latter doesn’t have the mandatory license to operate a mapping business in the country.

Last time we checked in on Autonavi, it had usurped Google Maps as the most-used mapping client in China for the first time ever, and now holds 25.4 percent market share, a fraction greater than Google can claim in China. And now Autonavi is toppling Google’s statue yet again by taking the search giant’s place within the default iPhone and iPad apps.

Autonavi is also the market leader in car-based GPS systems, with 45 percent market share – ahead of local rival NavInfo which has 43.5 percent share in an effective duopoly in the country. NavInfo is a key partner in Nokia’s Ovi maps – which might have been a contractual hindrance to working with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) – and Chinese media say today that the NavInfo-Nokia deal is worth 400 million RMB (US$62.93 million), which might be some guide to the financials involved between Autonavi and the Cupertino company.

From a user’s standpoint, it’s not clear how the Apple Maps app in iOS6 will be able to seamlessly integrate both TomTom global mapping details as well as Autonavi’s for China.

[Source: Sohu IT (1) and (2) – article in Chinese]