Get that rock star spot- anywhere: Audi becomes first carmaker to offer new global parking locater technology

By Marcus Amick Published June 6, 2013

Audi wants to make it a little easier to locate off-street parking for the drivers of their cars. They’ll be the first automaker to offer the innovative INRIX Park Service system worldwide.

Debuting at the annual Telematics Detroit 2013 conference, the new INRIX system allows drivers to compare rates, gauge proximity to their destination and get turn-by-turn directions to the entrances of more than 18,000 parking locations in the U.S. and 42, 000 more locations across Europe.

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Audi will offer the service immediately for all vehicle owners who subscribe to Audi connect, the carmaker’s infotainment system, which includes more than 100,000 Audi models already on the road, according to the company’s official press release.

The service will also be available on new Audi vehicles buyers purchase.

“Helping to ease the challenges that Audi drivers face in their daily drives is the core mission of the Audi connect suite of connected car services,” said Filip Brabec, Director of Product Management, Audi of America. “By offering the ability to easily navigate to the best parking spot available for their vehicle, Audi has further simplified and improved the ownership experience.”

Bryan Mistele, President and CEO of INRIX, said the new service that is as easy to update as a smartphone and also helps to address traffic congestion.

“With drivers looking for parking accounting for up to a third of all traffic in our cities, INRIX Park demonstrates how new data driven services can help drivers save time and frustration on the road,” Mistele said.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

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