OSRAM Unveils Joule Lighting System on 2006 Mercury Mountaineer

HILLSBORO, N.H., June 20 -- OSRAM SYLVANIA today unveiled their Joule(TM) LED lighting system on the 2006 Mercury Mountaineer. The 2006 Mountaineer is the first vehicle to feature Joule, making standardized LED technology available to consumers for the first time.

"OSRAM is the pioneer of LED standardization," said Jim Johnson, executive vice president and general manager of Global Automotive Lighting. "Consumers who purchase a 2006 Mountaineer will be among the first to experience this technologically advanced system that is the future of LED lighting."

The first of its kind, the Joule system promises to make LED technology more accessible in the marketplace by providing OEM designers with a reliable, industry standardized LED light source that simplifies the design process. With its integrated, standardized mounting and thermal management approach, Joule can be used on many vehicle platforms for rear combination lamp assemblies.

"The Joule system will allow OEMs to offer their customers LED lighting without the complexity and cost of a custom LED assembly," said David Hulick, global auxiliary product manager. "Joule marks the beginning of a new generation of LED solutions in the automotive industry."

About OSRAM SYLVANIA

OSRAM SYLVANIA is the world leader in automotive lighting for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket. The company's global automotive lighting division has its principal North American operations in Hillsboro, N.H., with nearly 1,000 employees. In addition to TS 16949, this facility has also achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. OSRAM SYLVANIA along with its affiliate, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, designs, develops, manufacturers and markets world-class automotive light sources including auxiliary, advanced halogen, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and HID technologies for interior, exterior and forward lighting applications. Automotive applications for OEMs are marketed under the OSRAM brand while products for the aftermarket are sold under the SYLVANIA brand.

Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH. Together with our parent company, we are the second- largest lighting and materials enterprise in the world, serving customers in more than 140 countries. We manufacture and market a wide range of lighting products, including automotive, electronic and magnetic ballasts, and precision materials and components for industrial and commercial users, original equipment manufacturers and consumers, sold primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, but also under the OSRAM brand. OSRAM SYLVANIA also offers lighting systems installation and maintenance services. For further information, please refer to our Web site at http://www.sylvania.com/ .