Innovative Visteon Technology Delivers Seamless Look and Feel on Instrument and Door Panels On New Renault Modus

KERPEN, Germany, 06.12.2004 (PROTEXT/ots) - An innovativevehicle interiors technology from Visteon Corporation (NYSE:VC)contributed to the unique seamless interior on the new RenaultModus. In this first commercial European application using aVisteon technology called negative vacuum forming TPO, the samehigh-quality look and feel is achieved on both the instrumentpanel and door panels of the Modus -- creating harmony andbalance in the vehicle interior.

The Modus, launched at the Paris Motor Show, is Visteonsfirst application of negative vacuum forming TPO on both theinstrument and door panels of a vehicle. This advancedtechnology produces a high level of craftsmanship with superiorgrain and pattern definition. It also allows for greater freedomin the use of colors, textures and surface effects. Negativevacuum forming is the technology used to form and imprint grainto skins. The raw material used in the process is ThermoplasticPolyolefin (TPO) non-grained foil. The grain is printed on theskin during the vacuum forming process, while heat, vacuum andpressure are combined. The grained mold is porous to permit airextraction from the skin.

The technology can be used either on compact skins forfoaming or on complex skins for low-pressure over-molding. It hasproved to be a cost-effective solution by offering a cheaperalternative to PU (Polyurethane) and PVC skins and by using morecost effective tooling.

Visteons negative vacuum forming TPO technology offers acomplete portfolio for finishing of instrument and door panels,which can be adapted to meet the most challenging needs of thevehicle manufacturer, said Ralf Haibach, interior systems productdevelopment director, Europe and South America. The processbrings unique grain and pattern definition to instrument and doorpanels as well as console skins. The same look and feel can beachieved for the full vehicle interior and maintained throughoutthe vehicles lifetime.

Negative vacuum forming TPO completes Visteons wide range ofskin technologies for instrument and door panels. The mainfeatures of Visteons negative vacuuming forming TPO technologyare: * Outstanding design freedom and styling possibilities,offering a wide range of colors and grains, including metallicand translucent effects.

* Visteons experience in TPO ensures high quality ofintricate details such as radii and lettering.

* TPO material has recycling advantages over PU and PVC andis lower in emissions that can cause interior fogging.

* TPO is a cost-effective alternative to PU and PVC for bothinstrument and door panels while retaining the same quality asfor molded skins.

* A weight reduction of 20 per cent is achieved using thisprocess compared to conventional PVC slush.

The Modus instrument panel and door panels are manufacturedat Visteons Medina de Rioseco facility, close to Valladolid,Spain. The facility, opened in 1993, manufactures a full rangeof interior parts.

Visteon Corporation is a leading full-service supplier thatdelivers consumer-driven technology solutions to automotivemanufacturers worldwide and through multiple channels within theglobal automotive aftermarket. Visteon has about 72,000 employeesand a global delivery system of more than 200 technical,manufacturing, sales and service facilities located in 25countries.

Visteon news releases, photographs and product specificationdetails are available at www.visteon.com

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