Alpine Makes the Industry's Leading In-Car Navigation System More Affordable

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2004 -- For consumers looking to add navigation to their car this year, Alpine Electronics, the world leader in mobile navigation, has great news. Today the company announced that it is reducing the price of its in-vehicle navigation/monitor package, the NAV-200, to $1,800.

The NAV-200 pairs Alpine's award-winning NVE-N852A DVD-based PowerNav system with a high-resolution, widescreen monitor and Smart Map Pro Version 2.0 DVD-ROM software, featuring full map coverage of the Continental U.S. and parts of Canada and more than 11 million Points of Interest (POIs).

"Alpine is the in-vehicle navigation world leader due to our system's reliability, accuracy and ease-of-use. There is no other in-vehicle navigation system on the market today that can compare to the extensive POI directory found with the PowerNav system," said Stephen Witt, Alpine's vice president of Brand Marketing. "We are happy to be able to offer this outstanding system to consumers at this attractive price."

Included in the NAV-200 package is the TME-M580, a 5.8-inch monitor with a dedicated Alpine navigation input, a built-in speaker and a mirror image mode for rear view camera use. Alpine's PowerNav system features a mobile DVD-ROM drive, Alpine's proprietary operating system, and a parallel 12-channel GPS receiver, enabling the most accurate map matching technology available. Alpine engineered the PowerNav system based on its own GUI for Drivers(TM) principle, providing a more intuitive system that uses "at a glance" recognition guidelines for all visual displays and graphics.

Smart Map Pro Version 2.0 Software

Both Alpine's stand-alone PowerNav system and its NAV-200 package include Smart Map Pro Version 2.0 mapping software (NVD-A211). Delivered on two DVD- ROMs (one for the eastern half of the U.S.; the other for the western half), the software features full U.S. coverage using both NavTech's turn-by-turn and map-based road databases.

Users will find it easier to find their way since the software enables them to input destinations 10 different ways -- by keying in the street base name (no need for prefix or suffix), by POI brand name/category/phone number or from their personal address book, for instance. Users can input multiple stops along a route based on their own schedule or have the system determine the optimal routing order. Alpine's software also shows on-screen time and estimated time of arrival.

Smart Map Pro Version 2.0's POI database features 11 million restaurants, hotels, ATMs, RV facilities and consumer destinations by merging data from NavTech(R), InfoUSA.com(R), and in an industry-exclusive, Zenrin's Interstate Exit Information, providing a list of services and POIs at any interstate exit in America. Popular POIs (e.g. Circuit City, Home Depot, McDonald's, etc.) are included in the database and can be queried in a variety of ways, including by nearest location. POI locations are available for turn-by-turn and map-based road databases.

Drivers also have the choice of three guidance display modes with customizable map views. The split-screen graphic display shows both the "map" with a moving vehicle position icon and "next specific maneuver" screens simultaneously. Another big feature is the latitude/longitude input screen, which allows outdoor enthusiasts to input their destination via latitude/longitude coordinates.

Smart Map Pro Version 2.0 can be purchased as an upgrade for existing PowerNav users for a target retail price of $300. Alpine's NVE-N852A PowerNav(TM) system with Version 2.0 Smart Map Pro software is also available as a stand-alone unit at a new price of $1,700. Alpine offers other monitor choices, including fully-integrated multimedia systems that feature an in-dash head unit with a motorized screen.

About Alpine Electronics

Alpine Electronics is the world's leading automotive consumer electronics system supplier and an ISO certified corporation. Alpine specializes in an integrated platform concept for mobile multimedia with premium components for digital audio/video media playback, digital broadcast reception, and satellite linked navigation. With research and development facilities in Asia, Europe and the U.S., Alpine is the global leader for mobile sound systems and in-vehicle navigation for both after-market and OEM factory installations. Alpine Electronics is a consolidated subsidiary of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world's premier manufacturers of electronic components for computer, communications and car electronics equipment. Visit www.alpine-usa.com to learn more about Alpine products or to find an authorized retailer.