Delphi Delivers on Aggressive Growth Plans at 2001 CES DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE LOGO Delphi Automotive Systems Wordmark. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] TROY, MI USA 10/19/2000
6 January 2001
Delphi Delivers on Aggressive Growth Plans at 2001 CES DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE LOGO Delphi Automotive Systems Wordmark. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] TROY, MI USA 10/19/2000
700 Percent Growth in MMM Sales Year-to-Year to More than $300M;
10 New Products and Technologies in 2001;
Product Launch of Delphi's Communiport(R) MPCpro Model for $499
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 Delphi Automotive Systems
announced that it is delivering on its promise to aggressive drive mobile
multimedia to the automotive marketplace. Today, Delphi announced the
introduction of 10 new mobile multimedia products and technologies in 2001.
Delphi, the largest manufacturer of vehicle systems in the world, made the
announcement in conjunction with the 2001 International Consumer Electronics
Show, held Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001019/DELPHIAS )
"Last year at the show we talked about booking $2.5 billion in mobile
multimedia business. This year we are delivering those products and
technologies to OEM and retail customers," said Dave Wohleen, president of
Delphi Delco Electronics and executive vice president of Delphi Automotive
Systems. "Customers have discovered how these products differentiate their
vehicles in the market place. Product distinction coupled with consumer
demand accelerated revenue growth for our Mobile Multimedia business unit well
beyond our original expectations. For 2000, the unit has increased annual
revenue 700 percent to more than $300 million.
"Our partnerships with many of the best named electronics consumer product
companies in the world is helping us to become fast-to-market and to
innovative solutions to meet the needs of customers who desire productivity,
convenience and entertainment options in their vehicles," Wohleen said.
The business unit develops and manufactures products in four broad product
categories including: smart radios, advanced audio systems, telematics and
rear-seat entertainment. These systems offer OEM customers and consumers
custom designed features and functions to meet their needs.
Delphi is introducing the following products and technologies in 2001:
Communiport(R) Mobile Productivity Center; telematics modules for Lexus Link;
802.11b wireless networking technology; Communiport(R) Seat-Top-Rear-Seat
Entertainment System; Satellite Digital Audio Receivers; Truck Productivity
Center for heavy duty trucks; MP3 playback systems; Communiport(R) Integrated
Navigation System Radio; Communiport(R) Infotainment PC for Cadillac; and a
partnership in MobileAria, a wireless content company.
Product Launch: Delphi MPC Available Via Internet for $499
Delphi publicly launched its Communiport(R) Mobile Productivity Center
(MPC) on Saturday, Jan. 6, making the technology available for consumers to
order on the company's Internet site (http://www.delphiauto.com/communiport) for a
retail price of $499.
The MPC is a new electronic device designed to help busy consumers stay
organized and connected in their vehicles cellphone and Palm password personal
computer available separately. The first model of the MPC lineup, called
Communiport MPCpro synchronizes several Ericsson cellular telephone modules
and a Palm V or Vx handheld computer and then allows drivers to access the
data and make hands-free phone calls through voice commands and text-to-speech
software.
The MPC will initially be available for purchase on the Internet.
New Business - Delphi Earns Telematics Contract for Lexus LS 430
Delphi has earned a contract to supply telematics units for the Lexus LS
430. At the customer's request, financial terms were undisclosed.
Delphi's telematics modules provide two-way voice and data communication
exchanges between the Lexus LS 430 and the Lexus Link call center. Delphi's
telematics module integrates a global positioning satellite receiver, cell
phone and digital signal processor. The module enables the driver to
communicate with the call center using hands-free operation.
Technology Introduction - 802.11 Wireless Networking Technology
Delphi and 3Com Corporation demonstrated the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b wireless networking
technology and Internet radio technology during CES.
802.11b is a critical technology enabler to allow consumers to download
compressed digital audio and video information through a wireless system
between their vehicles and the home an office environment. Delphi and 3Com's
802.11b network will allow for a wireless exchange of information between a
home or office and a vehicle at speeds up to 11MBps. The technology is
expected to be available to consumers within the next few years.
Product Launch - Communiport(R) Rear-Seat Entertainment System
Delphi's Communiport(R) Rear-Seat Entertainment System will be available
for sale in February 2001 at http://www.delphiauto.com/communiport. The system will
allow rear-seat passengers to play Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) movies, CDs or
plug-in game platforms. The system is designed for easy installation and
removal, and is so versatile that it fits almost any car or truck, regardless
of the size of the rear seat.
Satellite Digital Audio Receivers
Delphi was among the first OEMs to seal agreements to produce receivers
for the new Satellite Digital Audio Service that will offer consumers
coast-to-coast satellite digital audio radio this year. Delphi will produce
receiver modules that will connect consumers to both XM Satellite Radio and
Sirius Satellite Radio services. The technology is poised to revolutionize
traditional car radio and offer consumers added choices for music and
programming. Mobile users will be able to listen to their favorite
programming options all over North America without ever changing the dial
because the signal is uniformly broadcast over the continent. Delphi was the
first supplier to sign license agreements with both XM Satellite Radio and
Sirius Satellite Radio and has OEM contracts for both advanced receivers.
Truck Productivity Center
Delphi will also provide the hardware to Freightliner for its truck
products. With its Truck Productivity Computer, Delphi is helping heavy duty
trucking companies better manage their fleets. The computer system connects
the truck data bus to the fleet management center to manage the vehicle
position, heading and diagnostic position. It provides the truck with
navigation, integrated cell phone and electronic mail capabilities.
MP3 Playback Receivers
Also included in Delphi's line of mobile multimedia products are
Communiport(R) brand MP3 playback devices. MP3 is short for the audio part
(layer 3) of the MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) specification. This is an
audio compression standard that emerged about three years ago and has been
growing in popularity on the Internet. It enables digital audio music files
to be compressed by a factor of 10 or more without compromising sound quality.
Using MP3, music can be compressed off standard music CDs and converted into
MP3 computer files for personal use. Delphi is offering the playback mechanism
in both recordable CD format (CD-ROM) and flash memory cards.
Integrated Navigation Radio
Delphi has developed a cost-competitive product that allows GPS navigation
to be integrated with a vehicle's radio. The Communiport(R) Integrated
Navigation Radio allows consumers to get GPS navigation directions and maps on
a full color LCD screen.
Infotainment PC
Delphi will provide a smarter radio for Cadillac. The Infotainment PC
will provide consumers with voice recognition, hands-free integrated cell
phone, Internet access and e-mail. Voice recognition controls and
text-to-speech readout of e-mail for Internet contents allows drivers to keep
their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
MobileAria
Delphi also announced a new partnership with Palm and The Mayfield Fund to
form an independent wireless company slated to begin operation in the second
half of 2001. The company will supply services such as two-way email,
Internet access, news, weather, sports, traffic, financial information and
turn-by-turn navigation.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation 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
216,000 employees and operates 179 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 41 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in
39 countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .