International Lancia Forums

Does anybody knows if there is any Thesis in USA? Does CONNECT functions with USA maps for other cars? Any ideas, contacts? I am planning to export my Thesis to USA.

Hello Aleksandar,
I have never heard about a Thesis in the USA. Anyway, the GPS-system in the US is the same we use here in Europe so if you are able to get hold of map CDs for the US you will be fine.
The Connect-system is from Siemens/VDO and compatible with systems in various Opel models (NCDC / NCDR). CDs come from Navteq. Bentley used to have a Siemens/VDO but whether those USA-CDs (can be found on the US-ebay site) are compatible or not is guess-work.

Cheers....Starbiker

Importing a vehicle into the US, which was never for sale there, is extremely difficult because it has to be compliant to the DOT and NTHSA specificytions. These and the european ECE specifications are mutually exclusive, so some features required by ECE are illegal according to NTHSA and vice versa.
In any case the car has to be made NTHSA compliant. There are a few companies which offer this, but to my knowledge only for a limited selection of non-US specified models, and the Thesis is hardly among them. And even then it is far from sure that you get a single exception for your converted car because it is not crash-tested according to the US specifications.
The only ways to bring a car legally and without major alterations to the US is (1) for touristic purposes up to 1 year (and not a single day longer, extensions are not granted), after which it has to be exported or destroyed; (2) for exhibition, in which case you are not allowed to drive it, or (3) if the car is older than 25 years or so. In any case the car has to be decontaminated prior to shipping and the US customs has the right to refuse admittance for any reason.
These strict laws came into existance after a lobbying effort by the US branch of Mercedes-Benz, who wanted to prevent non-official importers from selling cars that were requested by the customers but not intended for the US market, which ate into their business.
With regard to these major obstacles, the worries about the CONNECT-Nav are only minor.
I do not want to discourage you completely. Perhaps you are able to find (google) one of the few importing and converting companies, which is willing to help you in this affair. If you succeed, I would be very interested in the result and the procedures required.

Best,
GWB

Lieber starbiker und GWB,

Vielen Dank für die schnelle Reaktion und das Bemühen, mit allen Fragen anzugehen erwähnt. Sehr nett von euch beiden. Ich bin mir bewusst, DOT und NTHSA Spezifikationen und Beschränkungen. Es gibt einen zusätzlichen Informationen zu prüfen. Ich erwarte als ein ausländischer Diplomat der US gebucht werden. Die Diplomatische Motor Vehicle (DMV) Office - Anmeldung und Einfuhr des Fahrzeugs wird im Zuständigkeitsbereich des US Department of State werden. Ich will Anspruch auf diplomatischen Nummernschildern als Mitglied einer ausländischen diplomatischen Vertretung zu bekommen. Nach Informationen von meiner älteren Kollegen, konnte ich dem Auto zu US Import, fahren sie so lange ich diplomatischen Status haben, und ich brauche das Auto nach Europa zurückkehren, wenn die Post endet.
Diese Informationen müssen doppelt überprüft.
Selbst wenn ich Thesis zu US-, Wartungs-und Reparaturarbeiten konnte importieren könnte das Problem da das Auto ist wahrscheinlich "sehr exotisch" für US-Mechanik (vielleicht Chrysler / Fiat Zusammenarbeit könnte die Dinge einfacher zu machen). Teile müssen aus Großbritannien oder Deutschland bestellt werden (sie sind sehr, sehr pricy im Allgemeinen). Versicherung könnte auch ein Problem. Allerdings ist eine solche These nette und charmante Auto (braucht immer einige Arbeit wie jede italienische Auto), aber meiner Meinung nach lohnt es sich, von Ärger und Risiken.

________________

Dear starbiker and GWB,

Thanks for the swift response and the effort to tackle with all the issues mentioned. Very nice of both of you. I am aware of the DOT and NTHSA specifications and restrictions. There is one additional information to consider. I am expecting to be posted as a foreign diplomat to US. Registration and import of the vehicle will be in competence of the US Department of State – The Diplomatic Motor Vehicle (DMV) Office. I will be eligible to get diplomatic license plates as a member of a foreign diplomatic mission. According to information from my senior colleagues, I could import car to US, drive it as long as I have diplomatic status, and I need to return the car to Europe when the post ends.
These information needs to be double-checked.
Even if I could import Thesis to US, maintenance and repairs could be the problem since the car is probably “very exotic” for US mechanics (maybe Chrysler/Fiat cooperation could make things easier). Parts have to be ordered from UK or Germany (they are very, very pricy in general). Insurance could be also an issue. However, Thesis is such a nice and charming car (needs always some work like any Italian car), but in my opinion it is worth of trouble and risks.

So, licensing does not seem to be the big problem.
For repairs it is probably good to have a copy of the eLearn CD at hand, so you will be able to support your mechanic with proper instructions and figures.
As for the GPS system: The database is compatible with the Opel-Siemens NCDx and some older Porsche systems (PCM-1), just copy the database folder from a recent Opel or Porsche CD into all the other stuff from the Thesis CD and burn it, ready. Perhaps you will have to find the right blank CD that works fine with the CD drive used in the CONNECT.
At least Porsche's PCM-1 system was sold in the US and Canada, so I would be moderately optimistic about getting a compatible database.
I fully understand your reluctance to give the Thesis away. I would also go to any lengths to keep my Thesis if I had to go abroad. Plus, I would love to see the Americans turn their heads after the Thesis. I'm pretty sure it would have sold great over there. It fits the American taste probably better than the European.

Best,
GWB

I think you are right ! In my opinion Thesis design is greatly inspired by US hotrod tradition, so in many ways the model might have had a great success across the Atlantic. It is also unique bland of European distinctive style, elegance and engineering traditions. If I eventually carry out with the plan, there is no doubt that there will be a lot of head turning in US.

As regards to CONNECT maps, I will try to test Porsche PCM-1 G-1 maps while in Europe to see the results. If I am correct there are two PCM-1 systems 8bit and 16bit. I am not sure if Thesis could read 16bit maps. I am not sure technically how to “copy the database folder from a recent Opel or Porsche CD into all the other stuff from the Thesis CD and burn it”. Do you mean to copy Opel and Porsche data on the same CD-ROM? Any experience which brand of CD-ROM would work with the CONNECT?

_________

Ich glaube, Sie haben Recht! Meiner Meinung nach Thesis Design ist stark von US-hotrod Tradition inspiriert, so in vielerlei Hinsicht das Modell könnte ein großer Erfolg jenseits des Atlantiks haben. Es ist auch einzigartig milde europäischer unverwechselbaren Stil, Eleganz und Technik Traditionen. Wenn ich trage schließlich mit dem Plan, es besteht kein Zweifel, dass es eine Menge Kopfbewegungen in USA.

In Bezug auf das CONNECT Karten, werde ich versuchen, Porsche PCM-1 G-1-Karten, während in Europa zu sehen, die Ergebnisse zu testen. Wenn ich richtig gibt es zwei PCM-1-Systeme 8bit und 16bit. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob These könnte 16bit Karten lesen. Ich bin nicht sicher, wie man technisch "Kopie der Datenbank-Ordner aus einer aktuellen Opel oder Porsche-CD in all die anderen Dinge von der These, CD und brennen Sie es". Wollen Sie damit Opel und Porsche Daten auf derselben CD-ROM kopieren? Jede Erfahrung, die Marke von CD-ROM würde mit dem Connect?

The Thesis GPS is equivalent to the 16-bit version of the Porsche PCM-1.
The GPS database ist stored on the CD in a folder named "DB". Copy this folder from a current Porsche PCM-1 or Opel NCDR/NCDC disc in a folder on your computer's hard disc.
Then take your old Thesis CD and copy everything except the DB folder into the folder on your computer, which you had created in the step before.
Then burn this folder on a blank CD-ROM.
In my case, Verbatim printable discs work fine.
If you experience persistend trouble reading burned CDs, this could be an indication of a contaminated lens, which has to be cleaned. You find find threads discussing this problem elsewhere in the forum.

Best,
GWB

Thanks for comprehensive instructions! I did some testings, but unfortunately with no success. I copied my original 2002 NAVTEQ CD-ROM on Verbatim CD-R 700mb 52x, but it does not work. I also tried to copy some files I found on forums, same situation. I followed your instructions and burned another disc based on methodology you suggested, but it does not work either. I guess I am doing something wrong. Maybe, CD-R I used are not appropriate for the CONNECT systems, or there are some hidden files on factory CD that could not be copies on CD-R.

No, there are no hidden files nor any copy protection on the factory CD. Attached is a screenshot of the DB directory of a 2009 CD which is the most important directory.

Regards.....Ralf

The Verbatim non-printable discs did not work well for me. I had to take the printable version with the slightly blue super azo dye on the data face.
And, as I said, it is possible that the lens of your drive needs to be cleaned, even if it can still read factory-made CDs.

Best,
GWB