Visteon and 3M Announce New Technology Collaboration

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2008  /PRNewswire/ -- Visteon Corporation and 3M announced a global advanced technology collaboration today at a 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) press conference in Las Vegas. The companies unveiled a jointly developed demonstration vehicle showcasing more than 50 technologies designed to enhance the driving experience. The technologies demonstrate potential commercial applications that could result from this collaborative arrangement. The vehicle is on display at Visteon's booth (CP7) during CES, which runs from Jan. 7-10.

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The collaboration paves the way for the two Fortune 500 companies to develop consumer-focused original equipment and aftermarket automotive products that capitalize on the expertise of each company.

Combined, the two companies have years of experience supplying products and services to the automotive industry. 3M is recognized universally as an innovator, supplying more than 1,000 products to the automotive marketplace by tapping into a broad range of technology platforms.  Lighting, optical films and capacitive sensing technologies are just a few examples of technologies 3M applies in the automotive space.  Visteon, one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, is known in the automotive industry for its first-to- market innovations in automotive climate, interior and electronics systems.

The collaboration on this demonstration vehicle is the culmination of discussions initiated several years ago by the two companies. The initial discussions between the two companies were intended to learn about one another's innovation processes.

"From those discussions, we realized we had very similar cultures that fostered open innovation," said Steve Meszaros, vice president of Visteon electronics. "From there, we reframed our discussions and began collaborating on solution-based products; that is, products that solve a particular consumer need."

The companies began to design a solution-based prototype vehicle, taking into consideration consumer research and mega-trends. The vehicle unveiled today demonstrates more than 50 innovative technologies. These technologies are solution based, addressing six social trends:  comfort, connectivity, convenience, health, flexibility (individualism), and sensory. For example, the vehicle's center stack electronics has the capability to link the user's personal devices -- such as an iPod(R) or mobile phone -- to the vehicle's audio system, allowing the vehicle controls to become the user interface. This solution addresses the connectivity trend. The two companies plan to unveil another demonstration vehicle in Europe later this year.

"This relationship is exciting; it brings together two automotive companies with unique and complementary strengths," said Steve Schreiner, marketing director, 3M Global Automotive Market Center. "3M and Visteon intend to use the demonstration vehicle as a centerpiece in discussions with automakers about developing technology that addresses social trends and meets consumer needs."

Visteon and 3M are able to innovate intelligently because of their in-depth understanding of both the OEMs who manufacture vehicles and the end consumers who ultimately purchase vehicles.

This collaborative approach is key to Visteon's electronics strategy. Visteon strategically aligns itself with leading innovators in the consumer segment to ensure its products use the latest cutting edge technologies.

"We've worked with Nintendo to bring GameBoy(R) Advanced to the vehicle and other companies such as Boston Acoustics to bring the industry the best there is in sound systems," explained Meszaros. "3M is a known innovator in a broad range of technologies that can be applied to current customer concerns and future trends."

Visteon Corporation

Visteon 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 Kerpen, Germany; the company has facilities in 26 countries and employs approximately 43,000 people.

About 3M A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen. Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers around the world, the people of 3M use their expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the latest product and technology news, visit http://www.3m.com/.

Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Command and Vikuiti are trademarks of 3M. 

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DATASOURCE: Visteon Corporation



CONTACT: Media, Melissa Andrade of Visteon, [phone],

, or Stephanie Sanderson of 3M, [phone],





Web site:  http://www.visteon.com/

http://www.3m.com/ 

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