The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Visteon to Present New Industry Concept - an Integrated Vehicle Cockpit Electronics Unit -- at 2009 Shanghai Auto Show

Single unit integrates audio, driver information and climate control electronics with unique styling; allows flexibility for automakers and personalization for consumers

SHANGHAI, China, April 20, 2009 -- Global automotive supplier Visteon Corporation will present a new concept platform - a cleanly styled center stack that integrates audio, climate controls, and driver information electronics (ACDI) in one single unit - at the Shanghai Auto Show April 20-28. The ACDI platform is a first-to-market product that significantly benefits automakers by offering more features and styling flexibility at a lesser cost than traditional systems.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001201/DEF008LOGO )

"Our market research led us to better understand the consumers' requirements for the small car segment," said Steve Meszaros, Visteon vice president and president, electronics product group. "Our core expertise in cross-system integration in automotive interiors, climate control and electronics systems allowed us to create a highly functional, compact and innovative center stack. By anticipating automakers' needs, we are staying one step ahead of the competition."

The innovative ACDI offers automakers a differentiated solution and unique value proposition:

  --  Cost-effectiveness: ACDI can provide a significant cost reduction
      while still delivering the same level or higher feature content.
  --  Flexibility: ACDI is a scalable and flexible platform approach that
      can support varying levels of feature content while facilitating fast
      and easy upgrades.
  --  Enhanced spaciousness: Combining three control units in one, and
      optimizing the use of components such as the display, buttons and
      knobs for multiple functions, creates more space inside the car for
      increased design freedom.
  --  High integration: The new concept eliminates networking and wiring
      required for interfacing three independent control units and reduces
      automakers' integration complexity and assembly cycle time, as well as
      simplifying inventory management.
  --  Styling differentiation opportunity: The unit appeals to a broader
      range of consumers with an ergonomically positioned control panel that
      can be tailored to automakers' unique style and design for marked
      differentiated interiors.

  --  'Green' Technology: Combining audio, climate controls and driver
      information electronics in a single unit reduces the number of parts
      used and the overall weight of the unit, requiring less fuel use by
      the vehicle.

Yanfeng Visteon, a joint venture between Visteon and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), tailored the styling of the panel to make it more appealing to Chinese consumers. With the extra space generated by the ACDI, YFV also designed a creative instrument panel that reinvents the look and usage of the panel, showcasing the extent to which automakers can differentiate their vehicles' interiors.

Based on unique market insights, the design incorporates an enhanced user-friendly interface and optimizes the possibility for personalization - two elements important to Chinese consumers.

"The ACDI provides automakers countless possibilities to redefine the architecture of interiors," said Shizuki Kajiyama, design studio director at Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Interiors. "This addresses the consumer's growing desire for personalization."

The development of ACDI was a global collaboration initiative. Visteon teams in North America and Asia Pacific worked on developing the architectural integration concept, while Visteon's Technical Service Center in India developed the software and Yanfeng Visteon applied its interior design expertise to restyle the panel for Chinese consumers' specific tastes.

"We have received great interest from our customers and we are confident that ACDI will be well-received by the market," said Meszaros.

This latest advancement will be displayed at SAIC's booth (exhibition hall, E3) during the 2009 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition from April 20-28.

Visteon Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, interior, electronic and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers, and also provides a range of products and services to aftermarket customers. With corporate offices in Van Buren Township, Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai, China; and Basildon, UK; the company has facilities in 27 countries and employs approximately 33,500 people.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001201/DEF008LOGO
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: Visteon news releases, photographs and product specification details are available at www.visteon.com