SAO PAULO, Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With vehicle buyers
in Brazil turning to more
sophisticated on-board entertainment systems, global automotive
supplier Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC) is supporting vehicle
manufacturers and dealers by increasing production of radios with
connectivity-related features.
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Over the five past years, Visteon has increased by 30 percent
its production in Brazil of radios
with connectivity-related features such as USB, Bluetooth® wireless
technology, iPod® devices and voice command. This year,
connectivity-equipped radios will account for approximately 40
percent of Visteon's radio production in Brazil. By 2015, Visteon expects that all
radios it produces in Brazil will
be equipped with technologies capable of keeping drivers
connected.
"The trend toward more sophisticated radios is driven by an
overall increase in Brazilians' income, and by the emergence of
consumers who desire more on-board technology, driven in part by
the influx of imported vehicles that offer more content at
competitive prices," said Roberto
Picchi, director of electronics for Visteon in South America.
Visteon began manufacturing radios equipped with Bluetooth
wireless technology in 2005. Today, they represent nearly half of
the approximately 500,000 radio sets that Visteon assembles each
year at its plant in Manaus, Brazil. The radios are sold as original
equipment and as accessories at dealerships in Brazil.
"We expect demand for connectivity to continue to rise," Picchi
said. "We're prepared to meet the challenge by launching audio
products that are easy and pleasing for drivers to interact with,
thus mitigating driver distraction, while offering more ways to
stay connected."
Visteon Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier that
designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, electronic,
interior and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers. With
corporate offices in Van Buren Township,
Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai,
China; and Chelmsford, UK;
the company has facilities in 27 countries and employs
approximately 27,000 people. Learn more at www.visteon.com.
SOURCE Visteon Corporation