New partnership will globalize innovative in-car infotainment.
SEOUL, South Korea, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Microsoft Corp. and
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group (HKAG) entered into a long-term agreement to
co-develop the next generation of in-car infotainment systems. Bill Gates,
chairman of Microsoft and Eui-Sun Chung, president of HKAG were present as
Martin Thall, general manager of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit, and
Hyun Soon Lee, president and chief technology officer of HKAG, signed the
agreement in Seoul.
Together, Microsoft and HKAG will deliver new and innovative solutions
based on the Microsoft Auto software platform, bringing the future of
in-car technology to Hyundai-Kia drivers worldwide.
"These new systems will redefine consumer experiences in the car,"
Thall said. "Since the spring of 2006, HKAG and Microsoft have been sharing
their vision for the future of in-car technology. We're now aligned to
develop the next generation of in-car infotainment systems."
"HKAG's strategic vision is to become a global leader in automotive and
information technology convergence." Chung said, "The partnership with
Microsoft will form the foundation for achieving that vision."
The first product, a next-generation infotainment system that provides
voice-controlled connectivity between mobile devices, will be introduced in
the North American market in 2010. It will further apply to Asian and
European markets, and expand into multimedia and navigation devices. These
easy-to-use infotainment systems will allow consumers to enjoy music in
various digital formats.
The next-generation infotainment systems are comparable to mini-PCs.
Even after product launch, new functions can be added or upgraded in the
form of software program updates, an innovation to existing in-car
multimedia technology.
The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group's adoption of the Microsoft Auto
software platform increases Microsoft's presence in the Asian car market
and enhances the global automotive business. The engineering and marketing
teams of Microsoft's Automotive Business Unit in Redmond, Wash., will be
working directly with counterparts at HKAG in Seoul to support this goal.
Systems powered by the current version of Microsoft Auto are currently
available in Fiat Auto Group vehicles in Europe and South America and Ford
Motor Co. vehicles in North America.
In a related announcement, Microsoft and Hyundai-Kia, along with the
Institute for Information Technology Advancement (IITA), signed a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) to co-establish an automotive IT
innovation center with the goal of promoting innovation and opportunities
for Korean software and device vendors in the global market. Hyundai-Kia
will invest $166 million over the next five years to bring IT technology
advancements into the car and to develop new in-car services.
Hyundai-Kia will invest $166 million over the next five years to bring
IT technology advancements into the car and to develop new in-car services.
Microsoft Automotive Business Unit
The Microsoft Automotive Business Unit is a dedicated partner to the
auto industry, providing innovative technologies and flexible software
platforms to help deliver simple, more reliable and cost-effective in-car
infotainment systems. Developed closely with automakers and automotive
suppliers, the award-winning Microsoft Auto and Windows Automotive software
platforms connect drivers with a wide range of devices, services and
technology while on the go, including hands-free communication, mobile
device integration, customized navigation and high-fidelity digital
entertainment. More information can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsautomotive/default.mspx.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
About Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia
Automotive Group which was ranked as the world's sixth largest automaker in
2006 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates.
Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor posted sales of
US$74.9 billion in 2007 on a consolidated-basis and US$32.8 billion on a
non-consolidated basis (using the average currency exchange of 929 won per
US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000
dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor Co. and
its products is available at http://www.hyundai-motor.com. Kia Motors Corp.
(http://www.kia.com) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the
young-at-heart-was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of
motor vehicles. More than 1.4 million vehicles a year are produced in 14
manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then
sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering
165 countries. Kia today has over 40,000 employees worldwide and annual
revenues of almost US$17 billion.
SOURCE Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group
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