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SmartMove Telematics Firm Now Becomes ACUNIA

8 December 2000

SmartMove Telematics Firm Now Becomes ACUNIA; Comprehensive Agreements Reached With Automakers    

    LEUVEN, Belgium and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 8 In a briefing
held today, SmartMove, the leading European automotive telematics technology
provider, notified the press that it has changed the company name to ACUNIA
(AH-KOON'-YA).  At the same time, the company announced that it has reached
comprehensive agreements with major global auto manufacturers to develop their
future telematics services through their carlines across Europe.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001208/DEF003LOGO )
    In describing the name change, Steven Buytaert, co-founder and co-CEO of
ACUNIA, said, "As we continue to grow in Europe and the U.S., we wanted to
maintain our unique position as a supplier with a name that symbolizes our
full potential as 'next generation' telematics experts in a fast-changing
marketplace.
    "Our choice for the new name ACUNIA derives from the inspiration
engendered by the 17th century Spanish explorer Cristobal de Acuna.  He was
the first cartographer to map the Amazon River," explained Buytaert.
    "Just as he became a guiding figure for later explorers, our company,
ACUNIA, similarly leads companies toward the next generation of telematics
infrastructure and services.  The 'crystal ball' which comes with our new logo
represents the ability to look into the future and to put things into a new
perspective.  It signifies a paradigm shift, similar to ACUNIA's technology
impact on the emerging telematics industry."