An elevator car positioning system includes a plurality of magnetic field producers, each of the plurality of magnetic field producers located in a position corresponding to an entry/exit point of an elevator. A giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor is disposed on an elevator car of the elevator to detect individual ones of the plurality of magnetic field producers when within a given detection range of the GMR sensor and generate detection signals indicative thereof. A controller is in communication with the GMR sensor and is configured to receive the detection signals from the GMR sensor, determine a position of the elevator car relative to the entry/exit point based on the received detection signals, and generate control signals to position the elevator car.