The SUNA Traffic Channel delivers live information about road conditions via radio (piggybacked inaudibly on commercial stations) and Internet feeds. The idea is that GPS units and other navigation products and services can warn drivers of problems, and in some cases automatically navigate around them.

Kia now offers SUNA as a standard feature of the Platinum grade Optima, Sorento and Sportage, and as an option in the SLi Sorento and Sportage. It is the ninth vehicle manufacturer to provide SUNA as a feature of navigation systems.

Tony Barlow, chief operating officer of Kia Motors Australia, said "The SUNA live traffic system gives a new relevance to satellite navigation for daily commuters who will obviously know their way to and from their regular destinations but now have the added peace of mind that there will be no unexpected surprises on the way."

And Adam Game, CEO of Intelematics Australia (the company behind SUNA), said "The inclusion of SUNA in Kia's highly popular range reaffirms our dominance as the leading traffic provider for in-car navigation systems."

More than 110,000 vehicles fitted with SUNA-enabled navigation systems are expected to be sold during the current financial year.

SUNA is also available on a variety of aftermarket navigation devices.