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DaimlerChrysler Provides Funding For Virtual Prototypes' Autotab

19 April 2000

DaimlerChrysler Provides Funding For Virtual Prototypes' Automotive Technical Advisory Board (Autotab)

     MONTREAL, April 18 /CNW-PRN/ - Virtual Prototypes Inc., (TSE: VP), a
leading supplier of software development tools for interactive, real-time
graphics systems, today announced that DaimlerChrysler (DCX), a leading
automotive, transportation and services company, has joined its Automotive
Technical Advisory Board (AUTOTAB). The AUTOTAB will be made up of select
Virtual Prototypes' automotive customers and recognized industry leaders, who,
in exchange for membership, are given key roles in influencing the development
and direction of Virtual Prototypes' products. DaimlerChrysler Aerospace
(DASA), within DaimlerChrysler, has been a member of our Avionics Technical
Advisory Board (Avionics TAB) since July 1999.
     As a next generation to the existing TAB, created in the spring of 1998,
the AUTOTAB will create a forum that bridges the gap between design needs and
engineering solutions geared towards the automotive industry. By fostering
regular meetings between Virtual Prototypes and its members, the AUTOTAB
quickens the pace by which Virtual Prototypes can address product development
and customer needs.
     As a member of Virtual Prototypes' AUTOTAB, DaimlerChrysler will be
involved in the continuing development of VAPS, CCG Lite, DesignDoc, CCG Lite
Enhanced Logic, Web Plug-in and various other products.
     ``Virtual Prototypes has been recognized within DaimlerChrysler as having
a leading role in our market domain and is prepared to hear our voice when it
comes to defining the features of upcoming versions of their software tools,''
said Dr. Juergen Bortolazzi, Head of Software Technology at DaimlerChrysler.
``The exchange of views between Virtual Prototypes and automotive companies on
how to best use the products and to develop new products in the future
benefits all of us in the AUTOTAB.''
     ``DaimlerChrysler has experienced productivity gains and anticipates to
expand the number of applications based on VPI's tools,'' said Dr. Schwehr,
Head of Mechatronic at DaimlerChrysler.
     DaimlerChrysler currently uses VAPS in conjunction with other development
tools to model and simulate dashboard displays found in their A-, C-, E-, and
S-Class vehicles. Anthroprotechnics, a research laboratory division within
DaimlerChrysler, used VAPS to prototype the S-Class vehicle's ``COMAND
system,'' a five-inch active-matrix display located in the center console. The
command system includes controls for many of the car's major features,
including the radio, cassette and compact disc players and mobile telephone,
as well as the navigation controls. VAPS is currently being used to prototype
the instrument clusters and center console information systems of future
models of the A-, C-, E, and S-Class vehicles.
     ``Our AUTOTAB benefits from the direction and insight of established
market leaders,'' said Philippe Collard, president and CEO of Virtual
Prototypes. ``By having a dialogue with our customers, we gain a valuable
understanding of how our products are used, as well as feedback on the
evolution of our products.''
     AUTOTAB meetings will be held semi-annually and will focus around Virtual
Prototypes' existing suite of software tools and their future direction
towards the automotive market.

     ABOUT DAIMLERCHRYSLER
     Established as Daimler-Benz in 1887 with the world's very first
automobile and with a combined history of over 200 years, DaimlerChrysler is,
at its inception, a leading automotive, transportation and services company,
with its car, truck, train, aerospace and financial services businesses all
ranked at or near the top of their respective industries. Headquartered in
Stuttgart, Germany and Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, DaimlerChrysler has a
global workforce, a global shareholder base, global brand awareness and a
global outlook. This makes DaimlerChrysler the first automotive,
transportation and services enterprise with a truly global structure. Total
Revenues for 1999 were EUR 150 billion. Automotive Sales were 4.8 million
units in 1999 (Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles).

     ABOUT VIRTUAL PROTOTYPES INC.
     Founded in 1985, Virtual Prototypes is a leading supplier of software
tools for the development of real-time, interactive graphical applications.
Headquartered in Montreal, Virtual Prototypes has offices and distributors
throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Virtual Prototypes'
customers include 350 leaders in the aerospace, automotive and other
high-technology industries in more than 25 countries. Virtual Prototypes can
be reached at (514) 341-3874, or at its Web site, BOUTONMACRO HtmlResAnchor
http://www.VirtualPrototypes.CA.

     SOURCE Virtual Prototypes Inc.; DaimlerChrysler