Visteon and Nintendo Bring Powerful Fun-on-the Mobile Entertainment to Europe
15 September 1999
Visteon and Nintendo Bring Powerful Fun-on-the Mobile Entertainment to Europe FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 15 -- Super Mario and Darth Vader
have taken to the road, and kids across Europe will soon be battling these and
other popular Nintendo video game characters in the back seat of their
parents' cars, thanks to Visteon Automotive systems.
Today Visteon announced it has entered into an exclusive, strategic
partnership with Nintendo of Europe, GmbH. to co-market and promote Visteon's
new Rear Seat Entertainment System. The partnership will provide Visteon
customers with outstanding systems technology and unsurpassed entertainment
options.
Located either in a vehicle's headrest or in a floor-mounted console,
Visteon's Rear Seat Entertainment System is an in-vehicle entertainment center
giving children in the back seat the ability to play video games or watch
their favorite movies.
"Visteon expects to leverage its product manufacturing and distribution
strengths with Nintendo's popular line of video game products to appeal to
savvy vehicle buyers," said David Peace, vice president, Visteon Global
Aftermarket Operations.
"Nintendo is an ideal partner for this type of technology, which we
consider an exciting innovation in mobile electronics," Peace said. "Nintendo
has built an extremely popular and respected brand name in the entertainment
industry, and this alliance will certainly strengthen the exposure and
recognition of Visteon's Rear Seat Entertainment System."
Peace explained that this agreement -- combined with a similar co-
marketing relationship announced earlier this year with Nintendo of America --
gives Visteon an opportunity to exclusively work with one of the world's best
known brands on a global basis.
Nintendo will receive inclusion in all marketing and promotional efforts
related to the Rear Seat Entertainment System including public relations, in-
showroom dealership promotions, direct mail, advertising and other marketing
strategies.
"Nintendo is committed to growing its share of the European video games
market and we're always looking at new ways of integrating our game systems
into the lives of consumers," Mr. Shigeru Ota, President of Nintendo of
Europe, said. "Bringing our popular Nintendo 64 game system into a vehicle
gives consumers an opportunity to have fun during short and long trips and is
an innovative way to enjoy our products."
Visteon's Rear Seat Entertainment System will be launched later this year
as a floor-mounted console available to mini-van owners throughout Europe. A
system mounted in vehicle headrests will be available to consumers early next
year.
Peace noted that Visteon's system has numerous advantages over similar
systems in the market, including superior fit and finish, a warranty identical
to a new vehicle warranty, an integrated console design to deter theft, and a
competitive price.
"We believe that our products must offer trade customers and consumers as
many value-added benefits as possible," Peace said. "This partnership with
Nintendo ensures that Visteon will be selling the most complete Rear Seat
Entertainment System on the market."
Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan is an acknowledged world wide leader
in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has sold more
than 1 billion video games world wide, and has created such industry icons as
Mario and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of Zelda and
Pokemon. As wholly owned subsidiary Nintendo of Europe GmbH, based in
Grossostheim, Germany, serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in
Europe.
With a global delivery system of more than 125 technical, manufacturing,
sales and service facilities located in 21 countries, Visteon is leveraging
the talents of 77,000 employees to deliver innovative, consumer-driven
automotive systems solutions to its customers.
