Delphi and Polk Audio Deliver Premium Audio Systems For Vehicles

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2003; Delphi Corp. and Polk Audio today announced they have signed a cooperation and trademark agreement to co- develop high performance Polk Audio-branded original equipment audio systems specifically for the vehicle environment. The collaboration of these two leading audio companies will answer the needs of even the most discerning audiophile. Dave Wohleen, president of Delphi's Electrical, Electronics, Safety & Interior sector, announced the collaboration and demonstrated a new DVD audio Surround Sound System for vehicles at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show.

"Since Delphi first introduced branded premium audio systems in vehicles more than 20 years ago, we have continued to develop and refine our sound systems to satisfy increased consumer demand for high-quality audio in the vehicle," Wohleen commented. "We believe our Polk Audio-branded sound systems will add an extremely appealing new dimension to in-vehicle audio and video systems."

Polk Audio, a leader in high-performance home theatre sound, will design and develop the loudspeakers and optimize the smart digital amplifier used in the system to provide the most accurate and exciting 3D sound for the vehicle's acoustics, while Delphi will integrate the systems into the vehicle.

"As consumers are offered advanced digital entertainment options such as DVD-Audio, satellite radio and digital radio for the vehicle, they want sound systems that deliver the greatest enjoyment from those media," said Matthew Polk, chairman and co-founder of Polk Audio. "We've been meeting the home audio needs of music and movie lovers for 30 years and now with Delphi's vehicle systems integration expertise, we're bringing Polk's famous high- quality sound to the vehicle."

The 5.1 speaker system helps turn the vehicle environment into a mobile theatre to make in-vehicle entertainment more dramatic. Optimum acoustic performance is achieved through a proprietary output configuration. The multi-channel audio properly positions solo instruments and voices to simulate a real-world sound experience.

"There are a variety of factors converging to create demand for innovation in sound systems," Wohleen said. "People are spending more time commuting and at the same time they have more digital entertainment options then ever before. High-quality premium audio systems are a natural extension of digital media."