Visteon Corporation Joins Bayer MaterialScience and Other Organizations in Support of Velozzi's Alternative Energy Vehicle Project
Expert insights will help drive interior design engineering innovations
Visteon joins Velozzi project in race to next generation of commercially viable alternative energy vehicles (AEVs)
Visteon is the latest in a growing list of organizations - which includes Bayer MaterialScience - joining groundbreaking Velozzi AEV initiative
Pittsburgh, September 28, 2009 - Visteon Corporation is the newest addition to the growing list of automotive suppliers coming onboard in collaboration with Velozzi as the automotive industry races to bring a new generation of alternative energy vehicles (AEVs) to market. With this announcement, Visteon joins a growing number of organizations - including Bayer MaterialScience - that are supporting Velozzi's groundbreaking AEV project.
Visteon and Bayer MaterialScience have successfully collaborated on other material innovations for the automotive industry. In this initiative, Visteon will provide design and engineering expertise for the interiors of the Velozzi Solo Crossover and Supercar Sports Car, both competing in the Automotive X Prize. Visteon will leverage its global reach, understanding of consumer preferences and design expertise using the latest technologies to engineer the interiors of the Velozzi vehicles for a winning combination of comfort and style.
Visteon will serve as a one-stop collaborator for global supply and development outreach, while offering a suite of technology solutions for interior systems such as instrument panels; door trim and floor consoles; and electronic controls, layout and component development. This centralized approach, beginning at the concept-design stage, will help ensure that the Velozzi AEV designs are technically viable for mass production and will help support Velozzi's goal to move rapidly from concept to production.
Bayer MaterialScience will provide materials based upon emerging and newer technologies to meet the interior design and engineering parameters. Highlighting the value Visteon brings, Paul Platte, innovation manager, New Business, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, said, "Visteon plays a key role in the development of interiors that are environmentally compatible and convey a great sense of uncompromising, luxurious style. Visteon's insights are critical to producing a Velozzi interior that satisfies the high expectations of today's savvy consumers."
"Visteon is a key addition to our project," said Roberto Velozzi, Velozzi CEO. "Visteon has a long track record of innovation, and their expertise and global reach will be critical in translating our interior designs into commercial reality. It's one of the greatest challenges in our entire development process."
To Visteon, Velozzi and the other companies participating in this project are heading in the right direction. "Velozzi has a keen understanding of what AEVs must deliver and has a novel approach to the challenge," said Shannon Quinn, Program and Commercial Director, Visteon. "Visteon's expertise and automotive intellect can help Velozzi succeed in its quest to meet or exceed customer expectations in the features that matter most in a purchase decision."
Bayer MaterialScience supports both traditional and non-traditional OEMs, including Velozzi, with high-performance materials including plastics, polyurethanes, coatings, adhesives and technology specialties to create low-weight, high-efficiency AEVs.
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 Chelmsford, UK; the company has facilities in 26 countries and employs approximately 30,000 people.
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,100 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2008 sales of 9.7 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.
Contact:
Sean Kelly, Phone: 412-777-5200
E-mail: sean.kelly@bayerbms.com
For more information about BMS materials, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
For more information about Velozzi, visit www.velozzi.org or e-mail velozzi@velozzi.org.
For more information about Visteon, visit www.visteon.com.
