The awards dinner opened the 8th annual Telematics Detroit 2008 Conference & Exhibition - the world's largest and most prestigious telematics conference.

The entries were judged by a selection of independent consultants and industry experts, and a shortlist of the finalists in each category was announced last month.

For the first time in the Awards' history, there were joint winners in three categories: 

Telematics Leadership Award (Individual): Bryan Mistele, president & CEO, Inrix

2007-2008 Industry Newcomer Award:  Autonet Mobile

Best Embedded Telematics Service Award:  Hughes Telematics - winner of last year's Newcomer Award

Best Embedded Telematics Navigation Product:  OnStar - for the third consecutive year

Best Portable Telematics Solution Award:  Microsoft for MSN Direct

Best Portable Navigation System Award:  Dash Navigation

Best Aftermarket Device Award:  Azentek

Best Telematics Component Solution Award:  BMW, WirelessCar and Connexis for the NGTP Initiative, and, for the second consecutive year, Freescale

Best Use of Telematics Technology for the Public Sector Award:  Inrix

Best Telematics Service & Application for Commercial Vehicles Award:  TomTom and T-Systems Enterprise Services

Global Car Manufacturer Innovation Award:  BMW of North America - for the second consecutive year, and Ford Motor Company

"The winners of the 2008 awards will be celebrated as true leaders, not only for great products, but also for taking risks, backing innovation and pioneering overall industry growth and development." [Precksha Saksena, project director, Telematics Detroit 2008]