Wingcast to Market Remote Vehicle Diagnostic and Prognostic Solutions With HP

SAN DIEGO, May 15 -- Wingcast, LLC today announced an agreement with Hewlett-Packard Company to market remote vehicle diagnostic and prognostic solutions to automobile manufacturers (OEMs). According to the agreement, the two companies will each offer components of solutions that will enable OEMs to remotely monitor and respond to vehicle conditions. Among the most compelling telematics applications for OEMs are remote diagnostics and prognostics. OEMs view these services as a means to reduce warranty costs and improve customer relationship management in the short term, and ultimately realize savings through design cycle and component quality improvements.

Wingcast, formed by Ford Motor Company and QUALCOMM, Inc. to develop and deliver telematics services and solutions, is preparing to launch its telematics service offering in certain model-year 2003 vehicles from Infiniti and Ford Motor Company. The Wingcast Service Delivery Network (SDN) will support and deliver a wide array of voice and information services for consumers. Wingcast plans to leverage the network of services and its call centers to deliver the combined services with HP.

"As the telematics landscape continues to evolve, so too must the types of services providers like Wingcast can deliver," said Coby Erez, Wingcast's vice president of consumer services. "Our OEM customers have been seeking telematics applications that will help reduce costs and increase customer loyalty. Our relationship with HP combines the strengths of both companies in wireless communications, telematics and remote vehicle diagnostics and prognostics to deliver what we believe will not only meet the OEM demand, but will also be the most robust solution in the marketplace."

HP brings to the relationship significant expertise in planning and building diagnostic-based solutions for OEMs. Additional strengths the company adds include data warehousing, data mining and analysis, telematics event management and integration into legacy systems.

"At HP we've been focusing for some time on the development of telematics solutions, and in particular, remote diagnostics," said Mark Rahrig, general manager of HP's Automotive Business Unit. "It is with great pleasure that we announce our participation in this complementary relationship with Wingcast. Together, our companies intend to deliver a solution to OEMs that not only helps them reduce costs such as warranty and recall, but also strengthens their brand's image and increases customer satisfaction."

About Wingcast, LLC

Wingcast, LLC ( www.wingcast.com ) was created by Ford Motor Company and QUALCOMM Incorporated in October 2000 to provide telematics services -- the integration of computing and wireless telecommunications with motor vehicles to enhance safety, security, productivity and enjoyment for consumers in a mobile environment. Wingcast is dedicated to the development and delivery of advanced wireless applications and telematics services for drivers both in and outside of vehicles.