AutoNavi (AMAP) Said to Partner with Leading Mobile Device Maker in China

AutoNavi Holdings (Nasdaq: AMAP) shares should open higher Thursday following reports the company might have landed a major contract for services in China.

According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, AutoNavi was selected by Apple, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) to provide mapping services for iPhone and iPad users in China.

Though Apple is using its own mapping software for the upcoming iOS 6, it's partnering with technology leaders such as AutoNavi, Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU), and SINA Corp.(Nasdaq: SINA) in China to offer a broader range of services and features.

According to Bloomberg data, AutoNavi accounted for 45 percent of China's mobile map market in the first quarter of 2012. Second-place NavInfo took 43 percent of the market share.

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