Amerigon and Motorola Expand Alliance to Develop Advanced Electronic Control Modules for Climate Control Seat System

DEARBORN, Mich. and DEER PARK, Ill., Feb. 13, 2004; Amerigon Inc and Motorola, Inc today jointly announced that the two companies have expanded their long standing product development and manufacturing alliance to include the design and production of a second generation electronic control module (ECM) for launch in potential high-volume model year 2006 and 2007 vehicle lines. The new ECMs will be incorporated in Amerigon's next generation Climate Control Seat(TM) (CCS(TM)) system, which is based on its new Micro Thermal Module(TM) (MTM(TM)) technology. The two companies first entered into a definitive non-exclusive agreement to jointly develop ECMs for CCS in June 2000. ECMs are used to manage the thermal outputs of the CCS system.

Under the terms of the expanded Agreement, Amerigon and Motorola Automotive engineering teams are jointly developing an enhanced ECM strategy and are together designing new hardware and firmware, which will provide significant advancements in controller versatility. These advanced systems will weigh less, require less space, be easier to integrate into a vehicle seat, and include improved thermal management features.

"Teaming Amerigon's entrepreneurial innovation, marketing skill and automotive industry relationships with Motorola Automotive's design, quality and manufacturing resources has produced high volume products that have been widely adopted in the marketplace," said Kieran O'Sullivan, vice president and general manager of Interior Electronics for Motorola Automotive. "We expect Amerigon's next generation CCS system including the new control module will help both companies expand their positions in the market."

CCS is the only system on the market that allows the driver and passengers to heat and cool their seats individually for comfort in any weather condition at any time of the year. CCS is currently being offered in 14 vehicles made by five major automotive manufacturers, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai, and is scheduled for production in additional vehicles in 2004 and 2005.

"Amerigon's engineers are engaged in designing the next generation of thermoelectric heat pumps for automotive applications, and Motorola is an important extension of our design team," said Amerigon President and CEO Daniel R. Coker. "The focus of our development program is to create an innovative approach to controlling our advanced thermoelectric heat pumps and our collaboration with Motorola is key to those efforts."

About Motorola Automotive

Located in Deer Park, IL and Farmington Hills, MI, Motorola Automotive is a leading, global supplier of automotive electronics, telematics, communications, and software systems. Motorola Automotive is a division of Motorola Integrated Electronic Systems Sector (IESS), a leading provider of advanced electronic products and systems for customers integrating electronics into their products. More information can be found at www.motorola.com/automotive .

About Motorola

Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were U.S. $27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it does business. For more information: www.motorola.com .

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. (C) Motorola, Inc. 2004.

About Amerigon

Amerigon designs, develops and markets its proprietary Climate Control Seat(TM) (CCS(TM)) products for sale to automotive and truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). CCS enhances individual driver and passenger comfort in virtually all climatic conditions by providing cooling and heating to seat occupants, as desired, through an active thermoelectric-based temperature management system. Amerigon's BSST subsidiary is engaged in developing more efficient thermoelectric devices (TED) with twice the efficiency of today's devices and has development contracts with several partners to expand the market for TED-based automotive and non-automotive products. Amerigon maintains sales and technical support centers in Los Angeles, Detroit, Japan, Germany and England.