Delphi Automotive Systems, an automotive supplier with a long history of providing automotive systems and electronics, will soon offer its electronics technologies as consumer products in the United States and around the world. Delphi is demonstrating the latest in high-end automotive electronics at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), part of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), the largest automotive aftermarket trade show in North America, Oct. 31 - Nov. 3. Delphi supplies the world's leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from a vast electronics portfolio, ranging from sensors and actuators to on-board controllers (replacement electronics) to advanced audio and entertainment (consumer electronics). Electronics currently represent 22 percent of a vehicle's content and are expected to grow to 40 percent of a vehicle's content by 2010, according to Automotive Industries, October 2000. "Delphi understands the complex interaction of automotive electronic components because we've been developing and manufacturing the electronics and systems used in vehicles around the world for more than 50 years," said Francisco A. (Frank) Ordonez, general manager, Delphi Aftermarket Operations. "Our Delphi products will incorporate this expertise, bringing customers in this segment the latest in automotive replacement and consumer electronics technology. We'll also deliver critical, integrated service solutions to the aftermarket, helping the market transition to the 'new economy.'" The global automotive aftermarket audio/entertainment market is expected to reach approximately $8.5 billion by 2003, with many new technologies introduced. In the playback category, CDs and cassettes will be replaced with digital compression and DVD. Digital and satellite receivers will replace analogue receivers. Delphi's audio and communications technology for the aftermarket will include traditional audio playback plus MP3 players, satellite digital radio, infotainment products and more. Annually, Delphi produces more than 5 million audio systems for new vehicles. The company provides end-to-end product offerings for audio systems, including antennas, tuners, audio amplifiers and speakers that are custom-designed for the individual vehicle's acoustics. Delphi recently demonstrated one of the first mobile Satellite Digital Audio Receiver Service (SDARS) systems with a connection to a digital radio signal from XM Satellite Radio. The XM digital music signal was successfully received by an open-air SDARS remote Delphi receiver and played through a Delphi premium radio. SDARS provides the listener with more programming information than traditional vehicle radios. Additionally, Delphi's Communiport(R) Mobile Productivity Center (MPC) will dock and synchronize with a Palm(TM) handheld and a cell phone with voice recognition control and text-to-speech capability for hands-free, eyes-on-the- road operation. The MPC will be available to order in December 2000. Delphi, Palm, Inc. and Mayfield Fund recently launched MobileAria, a company that will develop a new, hands-free mobile Internet service platform for the automobile. MobileAria plans to provide an open platform to enable "in-vehicle" access and management of personal information, mobile Internet services and entertainment through a hands-free, "eyes on the road" voice- activated interface. The initial service will be offered over integrated hardware, consisting of Delphi's Communiport(R) Mobile Productivity Center (MPC), a mobile phone and a Palm(TM) handheld. The MobileAria service will be available in the second quarter of 2001. The market for mobile multimedia technology is expected to grow by 30 percent each year over the next five years, and Delphi already has booked $2.9 billion worth of new business in this area through 2006. Delphi's range of electronics products planned for the aftermarket includes: * MP3 Music Playback Capability -- This technology, one of the fastest- growing electronic entertainment mediums in history, is part of Delphi's mobile multimedia systems future products. It allows consumers to download and play MP3 digital audio music in their vehicles using CD-ROM or disk drive storage. * Rear-Seat Entertainment System -- Delphi's Rear-Seat Entertainment System allows rear-seat passengers to play Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) movies, plug-in games or VHS tapes. The system features a seven-inch diagonal color display of 6.8 inches, which flips down from the headliner to show movies or games. A portable system also is available that can be strapped in the back seat using a seatbelt. * Radio Navigation System -- This is an affordable double-DIN navigation system that integrates complete full-function, color map-based navigation with radio, CD-ROM and audio playback. * Sensor Technologies -- These technologies enhance vehicle features and functions and are designed to analyze vehicle parameters and provide information to critical vehicle systems, including ride and handling, emissions, power and propulsion, safety, control and communications systems. Delphi's sensor technology integrates sensors and circuits with bus interfaces, providing component building blocks for an advanced digital control system. * Engine Control Units (ECU) -- This computer receives data from various sensors and adjusts the amount of fuel sent to the engine accordingly. Managing engine functions more precisely than mechanical controls, Delphi's ECUs reduce emissions and fuel consumption, while increasing performance. These electronics products and others will be marketed under the Delphi brand. Delphi can be found on the Internet at www.delphiauto.com .
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