RIVAL car giants Ford and Vauxhall have both come up with sat-nav guidance systems but they continue to play follow-my-leader with what their cars have to offer.

No sooner has Ford introduced its Telematics system, with traffic

information to cut everyday travel stress, than Vauxhall announces three new sat-nav products for owners to add to their cars.

Vauxhall says: "The time is fast approaching when a route-guidance system will outrank air-con and a swish sound set-up as the most popular extra when ordering a new car."

Ford, meanwhile, says a third of motorists waste nearly two weeks every year sitting in traffic jams.

The same number of drivers will be late for an appointment up to 8,000 times in their lifetime.

The Telematics system car covers

latest traffic information, advice on routes, and emergency and roadside assistance.

Although a Ford survey found that over half of Britain's motorists want route guidance in their car, another half don't even bother to carry a map.

If they need directions, 75 per cent would stop and ask a passer-by, while 32 per cent would phone a friend.

Telematics is available in most Mondeo and Focus models, for £600.

Vauxhall says its dashboard

information is not confined to route

guidance, but also includes details about hotels, car parks and service stations on route. Prices start at £999, rising to £1,599.