Osram Opto Provides First White LED Lighting for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator; Technology Promotes Vehicle Harmony

NORTHVILLE, Mich., Feb. 12 -- Osram Opto Semiconductors Inc., the worldwide supplier of LED (Light Emitting Diodes), sensing and visualization solutions for the automotive market, today revealed that its advanced white LED lighting is on the 2002 Lincoln Navigator which is being featured this week at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show and upcoming shows.

Using Osram OS' white Power TOPLED® lighting technology, the Lincoln Navigator is the first North American vehicle brand to harmonize the vehicle's interior lighting. The Lincoln's ``Satin Nickel'' dashboard theme is achieved through the consistent and uniform appearance in color and brightness throughout the interior of the vehicle.

Osram OS assisted Ford Motor, as the lighting integrator, to assure that all Lincoln switches, radios, climate controls and PRNDL applications achieved a common harmonized theme with the use of Osram OS' patented white lighting technology that includes TOPLED®, SIDELED® and 3mm Radial packages. The desired style and appearance was achieved by Osram OS' process of optimizing the LED color and intensity selections for the vehicle interior illuminated applications.

As a result of this innovative technology and partnership, Osram OS has been selected as a finalist for the 2002 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Supplier and OEM's Contribution to Excellence) Award. Achieving the proper white color selection for Lincoln was attained through the use of a blue LED dye and yellow phosphorous converter material. Osram OS has the ability to manufacture white LEDs with specific color tolerance in high volume.

According to Tom Shottes, Director of North American LED Products, ``delivering an entire brand theme to the OEM is a proven competency of Osram OS.''

``The execution of such a challenging white color theme is an indication of the expertise that our local team can deliver.'' Shottes also adds, ``the execution of such color themes through effective supply chain management with advancing LED technology will be a key enabler in our ongoing growth in the North America automotive LED market.''

``There are many technical advantages to using white LED lighting technology,'' explained Shottes. ``These advantages include longer life and higher reliability. In addition, LEDs are more efficient than incandescent lighting using up to 50% less power and generating far less heat. With the rapid improvements in white LED efficiency, LEDs will continue to replace incandescent lighting applications giving OEMs the freedom to design unique styling and illumination themes not attainable with conventional incandescent lighting.''

Osram Opto Semiconductors Inc., headquartered in San Jose, CA, is a supplier of components for electro-illumination and materials offering a wide- range of lighting, sensor and visualization solutions based on semiconductor technology with worldwide responsibilities for Intelligent Displays (ID), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) technologies, with local automotive design center support located in Northville, MI. Osram Opto Semiconductors, Inc. benefits from the global manufacturing capabilities of its partner company, Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH, Regensburg, Germany; a wholly-owned subsidiary of Osram, one of the world's three largest lamp manufacturers located in Munich. The company operates facilities in Regensburg, Germany, San Jose, CA and Penang, Malaysia.