Siemens VDO Automotive's Range Rover Cockpit Breaks With Manufacturing And Materials Tradition

GENEVA, March 7 -- The Siemens VDO Automotive designed and delivered seamless cockpit and center console for the new Range Rover luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) breaks new ground in the use of innovative manufacturing techniques and new materials. Delivered directly to the assembly line at Land Rover's Solihull, Great Britain plant from Siemens VDO Automotive's Holford, Great Britain facility, the cockpit and entire center console arrives as a ready-to-install module consisting of a complete wiring harness and more than 300 individual parts.

Siemens VDO Automotive spent four years developing the functional, elegant cockpit, taking a clear, strict geometric design direction and adhering to the highest level of quality and precision workmanship. Equally luxurious and authentic materials were selected, so even in the large cockpit areas of the more sophisticated vehicle models are covered with leather, while the consoles use real wood and aluminum-finished plastic pieces to give the interior a more sophisticated look.

To achieve such a high-profile complete cockpit and remain consistent with the vehicle's luxurious style, Siemens VDO Automotive refined manufacturing methods, which allowed for the innovative use of non-traditional materials. For example, the leather used throughout the new Range Rover's cockpit is augmented by a foam backing of synthetic material on polyurethane basis, as opposed to the traditional method of simply being glued onto the components. This thickness of this foam layer can be varied to optimize cushioning effects and enhances the feel of the material.

Siemens VDO Automotive also provides an innovative solution to withstand the thermal stress the cockpit's wood paneling with integrated vents is under during maximum sun exposure. To ensure the material does not crack, even after prolonged, intensive exposure of the desert sun, the wood is secured to a console made of temperature-proof magnesium, as opposed to a conventional synthetic material carrier. In addition, the veneer is comprised of more than 20 paper-thin, individually bonded, varnished and polished wood layers to ensure the color does not fade.

Along with being elegant and luxurious, the Range Rover cockpit also is functional and ergonomic. Siemens VDO developers worked closely with project teams at BMW in Munich and Land Rover in Gaydon to design a combination instrument that provides perfect readability and has an illumination that harmonizes with the cockpit's night design. Controls are easily accessible and off-road functions, such as the gear reduction or the hill descent control, are located on especially large and comfortable switches that are easily and safely reached while even in extreme off-road situations.

The variable design of the Siemens VDO Automotive complete cockpit and console module allows for a large number of equipment and design variations. For the first time in the history of the Range Rover, customers now have the opportunity to determine their own design. Consoles made of wood, metal or plastic can be combined with different types of leather or finishes and with the addition of technical differences, Siemens VDO Automotive can assemble more than 300,000 different, customized variations upon request.

Siemens AG , headquartered in Munich, is a leading global electronics and engineering company. It employs more than 450,000 people in 193 countries and reported worldwide sales in excess of $72.7 billion in fiscal 2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01).

The United States is Siemens' largest market, with 77,000 employees and sales of more than $18.9 billion in fiscal 2001. Siemens is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions in the information and communications, medical, power, automation and control, transportation and lighting sectors, and leverages its global network of innovation and unparalleled technological heritage to deliver business results for Siemens' customers around the globe. For more information about Siemens in the U.S., go to www.usa.siemens.com .

Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body electronics and interior and infotainment. Worldwide sales reflecting partial fiscal year 2000/2001 totaled $5.0 billion.

On Jan. 1, 2002, Siemens Automotive Corp. and VDO North America merged to form Siemens VDO Automotive in the United States. Additional information can be found on the company's website at www.usa.siemensvdo.com .