Delphi Shows Seat-Top Rear-Seat Entertainment System On Buick Cielo
19 April 2000
Delphi Showcases Seat-Top Rear-Seat Entertainment System On Buick Cielo Concept Car at New York Auto Show
Delphi Rear-Seat Audio/Video System Fits on Top of Back
Seat for Maximum Flexibility and Portability
NEW YORK, April 19 Buick Motor Division's Regal Cielo
concept vehicle features Delphi Automotive Systems (NYSE: DPH) Communiport
brand Seat-top Rear-Seat Audio/Video System, shown here today at the New York
Auto Show.
Based on the 2000 Buick Regal, the Regal Cielo is a potential limited-
production convertible. Delphi's entertainment system fits on the top of a
rear bench seat to offer ultimate flexibility and portability for aftermarket
applications. The system, which can be played in or out of the vehicle, will
be marketed through original equipment manufacturers and auto dealers, with
pricing and availability information to be announced at a later date.
"Rear-seat entertainment systems are part of the hot trend in bringing
mobile multimedia systems into vehicles," said David J. Bastin, director,
marketing, Delphi Delco Electronics Systems. "These systems are especially
popular with the growing market segment that is purchasing sport utilities and
vans. However, this system is so versatile that it fits almost any car or
truck with a rear seat regardless of size."
The Communiport Seat-top Rear-Seat Audio/Video entertainment system allows
rear-seat passengers to play Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) movies or plug-in
game platforms.
The Delphi system is designed for easy installation and removal. The
entertainment system can be installed in seconds by securing the console unit
with a seat belt on the middle seat position on the rear seat and plugging a
power cable into the cigarette lighter power source. A 7-inch diagonal color
display flips up from the console to show movies or games.
"These systems are great for families with children," said Dr. Robert W.
Schumacher, director, Mobile MultiMedia Business Group at Delphi Delco
Electronics Systems. "Rear seat entertainment systems certainly help resolve
the problem of being asked every five minutes -- 'are we there yet?'"
With this Communiport system, entertainment does not have to stop in the
vehicle. The lightweight system can be easily carried into a hotel room or
home to continue viewing movies or playing games. The 20-inch long by 8-inch
wide console also provides storage space to keep headphones, game cartridges,
DVDs and other accessories. The audio video control board is designed to
prevent damage and contains recessed headphone jacks, volume controls and game
inputs. The DVD player accommodates DVD videos as well as standard music CDs.
The entertainment system is compatible with video game stations and uses
standard audio and video inputs to the A/V control board. The DVD player also
offers slot loading for convenience. An infrared remote control is included
with the system for even greater convenience.
In addition to the Seat-top Rear-Seat Audio/Video system, Delphi also
plans to market a floor mount integrated seat module and integrated headliner
rear-seat entertainment system.
Delphi continues its aggressive growth of its Mobile MultiMedia business
line, Bastin said. Since June 1998, Delphi has booked more than $2.9 billion
in business for its Communiport line of products that include vehicle, smart
head (audio) units, telematics (GPS navigation and wireless telephones) and
rear-seat entertainment products. The contracts run between now and 2005.
Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a multi-
national leader in transportation and mobile electronics components and
systems technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion;
Safety, Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile
Communication -- provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer
needs. Delphi has approximately 214,200 employees, and operates 178 wholly
owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales
offices and 27 technical centers in 39 countries. Regional headquarters are
located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be found on the
Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .