Sony and Visteon Teaming Up to Bring Branded Entertainment Solutions to Car Manufacturers

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2003; Sony Corporation, a leading consumer electronics manufacturer, and Visteon Corporation, a leading automotive systems integrator, have agreed to jointly develop Sony-branded audio/video car entertainment systems for automotive manufacturers on a global scale. The collaboration is designed to address the growing demand of new car buyers for branded, in-vehicle entertainment systems with advanced functionality. ) By combining Sony's technology expertise, design capability, product ingenuity and consumer marketing strengths with Visteon's automotive engineering expertise, systems integration experience and knowledge of the automotive environment, the two companies believe that together they are well positioned to develop unique automotive entertainment products.

"The collaboration between these two companies will be groundbreaking in redefining the automotive space for consumer electronics offerings," said Tetsuya Hakusui, General Manager for the e-Vehicle Company of Sony Corporation's Mobile Network Company. "As a result, Sony's latest product designs and technology will be integrated into new vehicles and made available to consumers from the moment they are purchased."

"What an exciting opportunity for automakers and consumers alike," said Martin Thoone, Director of Visteon Electronics' Product Development Group. "This relationship gives automakers the ability to offer consumers branded, integrated audio/video systems. Considering the consumer electronics market development cycle is faster than the automotive cycle time, this joint effort will bring a wonderful perspective to the original equipment, new vehicle environment."

The collective strengths of the two companies will enable the development of new concepts for in-vehicle audio/video and other entertainment systems. The companies aim to offer products that feature reliability and stylish good looks, along with an easy-to-use, advanced user interface that will give consumers a new way to interact with these devices and provide car manufacturers with the latest in consumer product innovation.

As an example of future product designs, a concept car equipped with the latest in-car entertainment offerings will be on display here at the Consumer Electronics Show from Thursday, Jan. 9 to Sunday, Jan. 12.

The complete systems created by this collaboration are expected to provide total in-car solutions to a wide variety of consumers, ranging from young professionals to families and empty nesters.

Sony and Visteon believe that this initiative can dramatically change the way the automotive industry delivers in-car entertainment