General Motors and Sony Join Forces to Use Sony's 'Memory Stick(TM)' Technology in E-vehicles
January 7, 2000
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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /CNW/ -- General Motors Corporation (GM) (NYSE: GM) and Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) today announced plans to use Sony's "Memory Stick" technology in General Motors e-vehicles. The companies will work together to promote "Memory Stick" technology. This move represents another step in GM's strategy to provide consumers with solutions for in- vehicle Internet access.
An ideal digital media for distributing images, data and audio information from one device to another, "Memory Stick" can serve in connecting the home and in-vehicle entertainment environments. Due to its small size and easy operation, this new IC (Integrated Circuit) media is ideally suited for in- vehicle usage where many of the added-value features are electronic.
This announcement further illustrates GM's commitment to being the automotive industry leader in the development of e-vehicles. E-vehicles allow consumers to have Internet access in their cars and trucks.
"Our working agreement with Sony is the next evolution in our e-vehicle initiative," said Mark Hogan, president of e-GM. "We are looking forward to working with Sony to further these applications for the home, office and vehicle for consumers who are seeking enhanced communications services delivered in the ultimate mobile environment."
"Sony is extremely pleased to jointly announce the adoption of the 'Memory Stick' format by General Motors," said Yoshihide Nakamura, Corporate Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation. "The decision by General Motors, a world leader in the automobile manufacturing industry, to offer consumers 'Memory Stick' compliant products will assist in expanding 'Memory Stick' worldwide. Sony hopes to expand 'Memory Stick' into an international mobile digital recording standard."
In the future "Memory Stick" applications will encompass not only consumer electronic products and computers but also the automotive and telecommunications industries.
About the "Memory Stick"
"Memory Stick" is a compact-sized IC recording media incorporating the rewritable flash memory technology. Along with its compact-size and stick shape, the "Memory Stick" features a reliable connector structure and a locking switch to prevent accidental data deletion. All of these features make "Memory Stick" the best suited media for a wide variety of applications.
Since the introduction of the "Memory Stick" in 1998, Sony has developed and introduced a number of compliant products, including Handycam digital video cameras, Cyber-shot digital still cameras, VAIO notebook and desktop computers, CyberFrame digital photo frames, digital photo printers, and voice recorders. In December 1999, Sony commercialized the "Memory Stick" Walkman together with the "MagicGate Memory Stick" (32/64MB) with robust copyright protection technology to offer a new type of digital audio application such as music distribution over the internet.
The "Memory Stick" is currently available in storage capacities of 4MB, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, with 256MB slated for introduction within the year 2001.
Today's announcement illustrates Sony Corporation's commitment to grow wide support for the "Memory Stick" format across a wide spectrum of industries. Commercialization of "Memory Stick" compliant devices is anticipated from a variety of companies, and this is certain to further promote the use of "Memory Stick" as the IC recording media for the coming digital network era.
For Japanese market. For the U.S. and Europe, commercialization is planned for the beginning of year 2000.
General Motors Corp. is the world's largest vehicle manufacturer. GM designs, manufactures and markets cars and trucks worldwide. GM vehicles are sold in nearly 190 countries and the company has manufacturing operations in more than 50 countries.
e-GM, a new business group launched by General Motors in August 1999, seeks to integrate e-commerce efforts throughout GM's traditional business units and employ new technologies that will enhance the customer experience, while improving efficiency. e-GM leverages GM's core competencies in information technology, including Onstar, and GM BuyPower, to create a new class of applications for vehicle, office and home. GM's Home Page URL: gm.com
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, pictures, computer entertainment operations and on-line businesses make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of over $56 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999. Sony's Home Page URL: sony.co.jp
/For further information: Patrick Morrissey of General MotorsCorporation, 313-665-3176, patrick.e.morrissey(at)gm.com; Mack Araki of SonyElectronics, 408-955-5673, mack.araki(at)am.sony.com; or Merran S. Wrigley ofSony Corporation, 81-3-5448-5673, wrigley(at)ccom.sony.co.jp//Web site: sony.co.jp site: media.gm.com site: gm.com
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