TAIPEI, Sept. 16 -- The worldwide value of global positioning systems will reach $21.5 billion in 2008, up 65% from $13 billion last year, the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center (IEK) said today.

Based on data collected this month, GPS shipments could reach 61.3 billion units this year, up from 41.8 billion last year.

North America buys 63.3% of GPS systems sold, Europe 28% and Asia Pacific 6.3%, IEK said.

By application, handhelds make up 41% of all GPS systems, car-use 11%, mice 9%, modules 4% and wireless telecom 3%