ATX Launches First National Traffic Report

DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TX, June 27, 2001 - ATX Technologies, Inc., the leading independent telematics service provider to the automotive market, today launched the first nationwide Real-time Traffic telematics service, providing drivers the most convenient route to their destination.ATX's Real-time Traffic service provides motorists with nationwide access to detailed traffic information including incident and accident reports for 65 major metropolitan areas across the United States (see list below). Coverage for 78 markets is planned by the end of the year.A key feature is allowing subscribers to check actual traffic conditions along their intended route prior to entering the vehicle by accessing their personal telematics website. The website is provided through the automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and hosted by ATX.Subscribers can also learn about the latest traffic delays while in the vehicle by pressing an in-vehicle telematics button.ATX traffic updates to the vehicle will initially be delivered via text to an in-vehicle navigation screen but plans are to migrate the service this fall to ATX's award-winning Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. As with all telematics services provided by ATX, motorists have the option to give a verbal command linking them to a live operator in the ATX Response Center anytime they need personal assistance."Traffic is one of the car-centric, telematics services drivers want and OEMs must provide," said Steve Millstein, ATX president and CEO. "This is the first step toward deployment of routing assistance incorporating a range of real-time conditions to help the driver reach a destination safely and hassle-free. Not including a traffic report with a driver's request for routing assistance will only frustrate the driver if we route them into a traffic jam.""Our traffic service also is designed with recognition of two critical business goals: to enhance the safety of the motorist's trip and to provide OEMs and their dealerships with data that helps them attract new customers and retain current customers," Millstein added.ATX's primary traffic content partners are Tele Atlas North America (formerly Etak, Inc.), Menlo Park, CA., and Westwood One, New York.The information provided through ATX's telematics is designed to incorporate not only congestion points in traffic flow but provide the driver with information on traffic incidents, road construction and adverse weather conditions. The information also will report the location of incidents between cross streets or exits.ATX serves nearly 300,000 subscribers through its customers' brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Jaguar, Lincoln, and the Infiniti division of Nissan. The company pioneered in-vehicle telematics services to the automobile manufacturing and wireless communications industries in 1996 with the launch of the Lincoln RESCU system.Markets ServedAlbany Harrisburg PittsburghAlbuquerque Hartford PortlandAllentown Houston ProvidenceAtlanta Indianapolis RichmondAustin Jacksonville RochesterBaltimore Kansas City SacramentoBirmingham Las Vegas St. LouisBoston Los Angeles Salt Lake CityBuffalo Long Island San AntonioCharlotte Louisville San DiegoChicago Memphis San Francisco/OaklandCincinnatti Miami/Ft. Lauderdale San JoseCleveland Minneapolis/St. Paul SeattleColorado Springs Milwaukee SpokaneColumbus Nashville SyracuseDallas-Fort Worth New York Tampa-St. PetersburgDayton Norfolk/Virginia Beach TusconDenver Oklahoma City Washington, D.C.Detroit Omaha West Palm BeachFt. Myers Orlando WestchesterFresno Philadelphia Wilkes Barre/ScrantonGrand Rapids Phoenix