"With people spending more and more time in their vehicles, there's a growing need for automotive products that enhance the driving experience beyond vehicle performance," says Robert W. Schumacher, director, Delphi Mobile MultiMedia group.

Delphi, which launched its Mobile MultiMedia business in June 1998, has seen its business in this sector soar. In 1999, Delphi booked USD $40 million in mobile MultiMedia sales. Today, Delphi's business has grown to more than $2.9 billion in business booked through 2005. In addition, Delphi expects that by 2005, approximately 60 percent of its business will be comprised of electronics and high-tech systems.

The Communiport Infotainment PC system is commanded by voice recognition and features text-to-speech technologies to read e-mail. The technology gives the customer interactivity with the outside world wherever their vehicle may take them, Schumacher says.

"Now, more than ever, vehicles need to serve as more than just a means to get from one place to another," says Schumacher. "They often serve as an office away from home, a mobile entertainment center, a navigation system and other typically non-traditional automotive functions. Automakers want to serve drivers' needs in these capacities and Delphi is the partner that can offer the technologies consumers desire."

Among Delphi's Communiport portfolio of technologies are some key communications systems, including: Communiport Infotainment PC: Powered by Microsoft Windows CE operating system, Infotainment PC is the first mobile MultiMedia operating computing platform to be featured in vehicles. In addition to premium audio, Infotainment PC offers navigation, e-mail, web browsing, voice memo, hands- free cell phone, voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies; Communiport Mobile Productivity Center: Allows the consumer to dock and synchronize with a handheld PalmV personal digital assistant using Palm's HotSync technology. With the Delphi MPC system, users can download and read e-mail messages and other stored information, dictate and send electronic mail, record new appointments and memos, download and read simple Internet text, as well as dial and store phone numbers; Communiport 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; Communiport Rear-Seat Audio/Visual Systems: A new entertainment system featuring a 7-inch full-color screen, game station and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player. Applications include seat-top and floor-mount units for the aftermarket and an integrated headliner system for OEM installation.

Link for more info: www.delphiauto.com