Delphi Rear-Seat Entertainment Eliminates "Are We There Yet?"

TROY, Mich., Nov. 15 -- Consumers who want the versatility of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and the amenities of a home theatre will soon be able to get the best of both worlds with the 2002 Ford Excursion. The new Excursion featuring Delphi Automotive Systems' Communiport(R) rear-seat entertainment electronics is one of the first full-size SUVs to offer factory-installed integrated rear-seat entertainment with DVD playback capability.

"Vehicle travel is often stressful for parents as their children get bored and restless, but with Delphi's entertainment electronics kids can stay occupied and happy watching DVD movies, listening to CDs or even playing video games," said Bob Schumacher, business line executive for Delphi's wireless business line. "We are extremely excited about the first application of the system in a full-size Ford SUV. The Excursion is designed with long road trips in mind and Delphi's rear-seat entertainment electronics system brings a new level of pleasure into the vehicle for those trips."

Delphi's Communiport(R) factory-installed rear-seat entertainment electronics features DVD playback, CD playback, dual headphones and audio/video inputs for any standard video game, camcorder, VCR or other auxiliary electronic devices.

Delphi developed the electronics system and Plastech completes mechanical integration into the vehicle headliner. The seven-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) color monitor, which offers a crisp picture, is flush mounted with the headliner and flips down for use. It is controlled using an infrared remote.

Delphi also offers aftermarket versions of its rear-seat entertainment systems for headliner mounting and seat-top use.