EUROPEAN business travellers renting cars at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport can now receive spoken directions while they drive, through partnership between electronic communications company Motorola and daily rental giant Avis.

Called Avis Assist, it allows renters to receive spoken turn-by-turn directions to their destinations on a GPS-enabled Motorola mobile handset, which is fitted with a speakerphone.

The service is continuously updated with map data and is integrated with point-of-interest databases to provide users with the most accurate and up-to-date navigation services possible.

Via speed dialing, the customer connects with the call center and provides an Avis advisor with details of their required destination. A route is then downloaded to the Avis Assist unit, the Motorola handset, and turn-by-turn directions are provided.

The companies will extend the service to Washington's Dulles airport.

Scott Deaver, executive vice president of marketing for Avis said: 'Avis is committed to providing technologically advanced products that exceed our customers' expectations. Motorola and the other partners have developed a portable navigation system that gives our customers a system they can enjoy in whatever vehicle they choose to rent.'