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Melbourne-headquartered connected vehicle and IoT company Directed Technologies has acquired GPS2GO, a Bangkok-based telematics provider, in a deal aimed at strengthening its on-the-ground capability across South-East Asia's fast-growing fleet management market.
The acquisition gives Directed Technologies a stronger local operating base in Thailand, supported by GPS2GO's customer and partner network.
It also builds on Directed’s existing footprint in the market, where customer support, analytics and sales capabilities are already in place.
The company says Thailand plays a critical role in the global automotive supply chain, particularly as a major manufacturing hub for trucks, passenger vehicles and commercial utility vehicles.
With many of Directed’s customers operate manufacturing facilities in the region, the company says a local presence increasingly important to support both OEM and aftermarket programs.
“This is not just about expanding into South-East Asia, it’s about strengthening our ability to support customers with on-the-ground capability in one of the region’s most important automotive markets,” says Steve Siolis, CEO of Directed Technologies.
“Through GPS2GO, we are combining deep local expertise with our global platform to deliver connected vehicle solutions for OEMs and enterprise customers operating across the region.”
Directed Technologies provides connected vehicle, fleet telematics and IoT safety solutions deployed across more than 5,000 fleets globally, with its audio-visual and navigation units installed in more than 350,000 vehicles.
The company says its telematics technology has monitored more than one billion kilometres of road travel across more than 2,000 fleets in Australia and Asia-Pacific.
As part of the integration, Hataichanok Leerahathon will take up the role of general manager at GPS2GO, alongside her existing role as country manager of Directed Technologies Thailand, which the company says ensures continuity for customers and partners.
“This marks the next phase of growth for GPS2GO, allowing us to extend our local expertise beyond Thailand and support customers across Southeast Asia,” says Leerahathon.
“By combining our in-market knowledge with Directed Technologies’ global platform, we are well positioned to deliver solutions that are tailored to local requirements while maintaining a strong global foundation.”
Directed Technologies has grown from 21 to 80 people in just under four years, with the growth aided by acquisitions.
The GPS2GO deal follows the company's August 2024 buyout of Sofihub, a provider of assisted monitoring and wearable safety technology, as well as recent partnerships spanning Africa through 3Gen Products, India through A3T Technologies, and an integration with SafetyCulture.
The deal comes as the installed base of fleet management systems across South-East Asia is forecast to grow at a 12.3 per cent compound annual growth rate from 3.6 million units in 2024 to more than 6.4 million units by 2029, according to research from Berg Insight.
The South-East Asian fleet management market has attracted growing international attention, with video telematics in particular gaining traction.
Directed Technologies' broader product suite spans vehicle tracking, driver behaviour monitoring, dashcam integration and IoT-enabled safety devices, positioning the company to tap into demand for connected fleet solutions as regulatory pressure and safety mandates intensify across the region.
With operations across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Americas, Directed Technologies plans to continue expanding its global footprint through targeted acquisitions and partnerships.
Financial terms of the GPS2GO acquisition have not been disclosed.
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