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To: Binx Bolling who wrote (9250)	2/22/2000 12:16:00 PM
From: Binx Bolling	Respond to of 60323

"We want to enable GM vehicles to take memory stick data and be able to download that data, whether it be from a digital camera or MP3 player or from a DVD player," Hogan said INTERVIEW-GM says in broad talks with Sony Updated 1:04 AM ET February 19, 2000 By Edwina Gibbs TOKYO, Feb 19 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N), the world's largest automaker, is in broad cooperation talks with electronics giant Sony Corp (6758.T), Mark Hogan, president of the automaker's e-commerce business unit said on Saturday. The two companies announced last month that future GM cars with Internet access would be using Sony data storage technology, and Hogan said GM believed this agreement would be the first of many agreements. "I'd say the envisioned partnership is quite broad," he told Reuters in an interview, adding that it would not be limited to Internet access inside cars. The firms already have a close relationship, with outspoken Sony president Nobuyuki Idei taking a seat on the automaker's board last October. Hogan declined to elaborate on further tie-ups, but like GM, Sony is seeking to expand from being solely a traditional manufacturer into e-business. Recent moves include Sony's announcement of plans to branch into online banking and set up an e-commerce arm to distribute online games for its popular Playstation console. It also has an online brokerage unit. GM set up its e-commerce arm, e-GM, last August. It has since announced a tie-up with America Online (AOL.N) and other companies to increase its Internet presence and is developing an online marketplace, called TradeXchange, for auto parts that brings manufacturers and suppliers together. Under last month's agreement with Sony, GM vehicles will use Sony's "memory stick" -- a data storage device that looks like a stick of chewing gum -- enabling drivers to download data into their cars. "We want to enable GM vehicles to take memory stick data and be able to download that data, whether it be from a digital camera or MP3 player or from a DVD player," Hogan said. Sony is not the only Japanese company GM is pursuing. Racing against rival Ford Motor Co (F.N), which is also building a similar parts marketplace, GM is wooing Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) and other automakers to join its exchange. GM is willing to offer Toyota an equity stake in the venture but Hogan said GM would want to keep a majority holding. "We would be the biggest part of it and as a consequence, just in terms of overall transactional participation, and it would seem appropriate that GM have the majority," Hogan said. Hogan, however, declined to comment on whether GM would be willing to let other automakers have an equity stake. GM also wants to use Toyota's website to market its vehicles in Japan and is willing to offer Toyota cars on its U.S. website. It plans a formal proposal to Toyota on the matter soon. ((Tokyo Equities Desk +81-3 3432 8720 tokyo.equities.newsroom+reuters.com))