Features of Tomorrow Available Today
9 January 2000
Visionary Visteon Technology Available for Today's VehiclesDETROIT -- Visionary, consumer-focused technology by Visteon Automotive Systems is showcased on Ford Motor Company's 24.7 concept vehicles at the 2000 North American International Auto Show. But consumers don't have to wait for the concepts to become reality to get their hands on Visteon's leading-edge automotive systems. The technology is available today. For the past six months, Visteon has worked with Ford to apply dynamic, world-class technologies to Ford's 24.7 concept vehicles. The 24.7 concept vehicles include a wagon, truck and coupe that redefine traditional user interaction with a vehicle. The concept vehicles feature three of Visteon's most dynamic technologies: Visteon Voice Technology, Voice Activated Reconfigurable Projected Image Display, and the new Advanced Lighting System. These technologies offer consumers easy access to information and communications such as e-mail, hands- free mobile phone, real-time route assistance, weather reports, and custom features like stock readings. "This partnership is an important acknowledgment of the value we bring to our customers," said Marcos Oliveira, vice president and chief technology officer, Visteon. "Visteon's competitive advantage is its engineering expertise, and we use this expertise to design innovative system solutions with our customers that are unlike any others in the world." Visteon's Voice Technology allows drivers to set controls and make phone calls with voice commands while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. It is used in conjunction with a vehicle's on-board navigation system and includes an in-vehicle Web browser that allows drivers to verbally seek and receive weather information, road conditions or stock reports. Further, Visteon Voice Technology, the only voice-activated system in the industry that understands continuous and natural patterns of speech, works in six languages -- English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish -- including multiple dialects and accents. The Ford 24.7 concept vehicles also feature Visteon's Voice Technology in conjunction with its Reconfigurable Projected Image Display. The voice activated display, a revolutionary alternative to the conventional instrument display, gives drivers the ability to customize the dashboard by changing the speedometer, gas gauge and clock with simple voice commands. Visteon's latest breakthrough lighting technology -- white and red LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps -- are also incorporated on the Ford concept vehicles. The lights illuminate instantly, last the life of the vehicle, allow for extremely thin and lightweight packages and consume only a fraction of the power that traditional halogen lamps require. The benefits of these features include flexible packaging, unique hi-tech styling appearance, increased safety because of instant "on" capability, long-lasting source and reduced power consumption. "We are dedicated to offering consumers revolutionary vehicle technologies that will make driving safer, more economical, more stylish and more fun," said Oliveira. "We are honored to work with the 24.7 team at Ford and are gratified that innovations from Visteon in turn help make our customers successful." With a global delivery system of nearly 125 technological, manufacturing, sales and service facilities located in 21 countries, Visteon is leveraging the talents of its 77,000 employees to deliver innovative, consumer-driven systems solutions to its customers.