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Alfa Romeo Features Siemens Driver Information/Navigation Tech

2 October 1998

New Alfa Romeo Features Siemens Latest Driver Information/Navigation Technology

    REGENSBURG, Germany, Oct. 2 -- Siemens Automotive has been
awarded a contract worth up to $70 million (DM 120) to supply highly
integrated vehicle, navigation and driver information systems to the Alfa
Romeo 166.  In addition to Alfa Romeo and Porsche, Siemens continues to work
with a variety of manufacturers as they develop navigation and traveler
information systems for their new products.
    Dubbed the Integrated Control System (ICS) by Alfa Romeo, a version of
Siemens Integrated Driver information System (IDIS), will be standard on the
166 model.  The ICS color monitor uses a patented control technology to attain
extremely high resolution images.  The onboard computer, vehicle navigation
system, in-car sound system, car phone and air conditioning control are all
integrated into a single, self-explanatory user interface.
    The integration of these multiple control features into one convenient
unit arrangement ergonomically and compactly accommodates the position
important displays in the instrument panel, contributing to greater driving
comfort and reduces distraction.
    Currently, Siemens supplies integrated navigation systems for the Mercedes
S-Class, M-Class, E-Class and CLK, as well as to the BMW Z3 and E36 and PSA,
and, due to an increase in sales, business in driver information systems at
Siemens Automotive is expected to triple from $70 million to $290 million over
the next two years.
    Siemens plans to invest approximately $14 million each year to further
expand its position as Europe's third largest supplier of such systems and to
continue focusing on developing highly integrated systems capable of handling
traffic telematics (real time traffic information access).
    Siemens Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive and
electrical-electronic systems and components with applications covering
powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, electric
motor drives, driver information systems and diesel systems.  Siemens
Automotive generated $3 billion in sales in 1997, 10 percent of which was
reinvested in research and development.
    The parent organization, Siemens AG, the world's second leading
manufacturer of electronics capital goods, generated sales of $64 billion in
1997 and presently employs 386,000 people worldwide.