Visteon China introduces first China-tailored INS

SHANGHAI, December 3, 2008 – Visteon Corporation recently launched its first automotive integrated navigation system (INS) completely designed at the Visteon China Technical Center and tailored for Chinese consumers. Debuting on the Chang’An Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA) Mondeo –-Zhi Sheng Ghia Hi and Mondeo –-Zhi Sheng Ghia D, both renowned  for their unique human machine interface (HMI) and  advanced technologies, the navigation solution features an integrated digital radio, DVD, advanced user-friendly HMI and climate controls.

Capitalizing on its automotive intellect, product development capabilities, and vast localization expertise, Visteon was able to provide CFMA with a high-end solution at an accelerated speed. Product development time from award to launch was 11 months, much faster than the industry’s traditional 18 to 24 months development cycle.

"The integrated satellite navigation system provided by Visteon for our latest Mondeo –Zhi Sheng Ghia Hi and Mondeo – Zhi Sheng Ghia D is a leading-edge product. Visteon’s China Technical Center team ensured that our first navigation system for China had high feature content compared with the market’s current offering.  We were also impressed by the speed at which they were able to develop this unique solution tailored for Chinese consumers,” said Roger Liu, deputy program director, Chang’An Ford Mazda Automobile.

A development first for the Visteon China Technical Center, the system is based on an existing radio and DVD platform, to which is added an advanced navigation system. A comprehensive benchmarking exercise was carried out at the start of the product development phase to ensure the highest features content currently available in any Chinese vehicle in the C/D car segment.

"We are happy to work with CFMA to help them deliver products that appeal to Chinese consumers. The ingenuity of this system is its flexibility: it allows automakers to easily adapt the product to their specific needs and select the degree of advanced features suitable to their customers,’ said Dean Miles, product segment leader, audio & infotainment, Visteon Asia Pacific. “This system also uses a Secure Digital (SD) memory card to ensure easy map upgrades as China’s navigation map database continues to develop.”

The navigation system alone offers advanced features designed with discerning Chinese consumers in mind:
• Data entry using Pinyin capability
• Chinese language for voice guidance and choice of male/female voice
• Use of points of interest as well as street names as navigators
• Split screen routing
• Network communication enabling dialogue between system and instrument cluster
• Remote audio feature controls, with steering wheel support
• Incorporates a gyrocompass, offering accurate mapping when GPS is not available
• Sophisticated routing options enabling drivers to input multiple destinations and routes including blocking certain areas in the city, and
• Digital audio, including vehicle specific equalization (EQ), to enhance the listening experience tuned to the sound characteristics of the vehicle.

"This system is a testimony to the talent, speed and efficiency of the Visteon China Technical Center team as well as Visteon’s ability to provide integrated solutions with maximum flexibility for our customers,” said Steve Meszaros, Visteon vice president and president, electronics product group. “We are committed to continue building our local product development capability in China to support automakers’ strategies in this market and meet the specific requirements of Chinese consumers.”

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 Kerpen, Germany; the company has facilities in 27 countries and employs approximately 35,500 people.