Panasonic Automotive - Press Releases

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America today announced that it will establish the Panasonic Automotive Innovation Center in the Technology Square area of Midtown Atlanta on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the nation’s top research universities, which is best known as Georgia Tech. READ MORE>

Known as MirrorLink, the standard ensures that users will be able to link their phones to the dashboard in all of their vehicles, so they don't need to buy separate handsets for separate vehicles.READ MORE>

In the center console is the very appealing touch-screen navigation and audio controller, which will synch up with your phone and play your music library wirelessly through the bright, fearsome Fender audio system. READ MORE>

The 440-watt ELS surround-sound audio system is spectacular even with MP3s, let alone higher-quality CD and DVD audio tracks.READ MORE>

High-end automakers like BMW and Audi have already demoed their takes on the "connected car," and even Intel's gotten into the game with its safety-first, egg-shaped iteration. Now Panasonic and AT&T have partnered to explore the concept: Panny will provide hardware and integration, and Ma Bell will handle connectivity. All this concept-exploration will take place in Peachtree City, Georgia, and the team's "connected lifestyle projects" will likely include basic in-car infotainment systems -- think streaming music and video, along with social networking apps.READ MORE>

AT&T and Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America have formed a working agreement to explore and test connectivity solutions for consumers and commuters.

The new project provides a framework for the two companies to create customized products for global automotive manufacturers in North America. Initial concept testing for interfaces between in-car infotainment systems and emerging mobile devices will begin in late 2011, in the Peachtree City testing community. AT&T will provide network services and Panasonic Automotive Systems Company will supply the hardware and integration services. Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed. READ MORE>

Industry-leading mobile audio supplier Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America and Fender Musical Instruments Corp, the company that helped create the signature sound of modern music, today announced that the jointly designed Fender Premium Audio System will be featured in the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. READ MORE>

Developed in association with Panasonic, the eight-speaker, 400-watt system is standard on Highline and optional on Comfortline trims. Fender brings its expertise in making top-of-the-line guitars and amplifiers to the table in this system that is exclusive to Volkswagen. READ MORE>

Wagons are not the kind of vehicles that come to mind when I think of high-performance OEM car audio systems. Wagons conjure up images of parents hauling kids around, not solo cruising on curvy back roads with the tunes cranked. But that's exactly what I wanted to do after sound-checking the ELS Surround system in our 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon. READ MORE>

The much anticipated launch of VW’s redesigned Beetle took place simultaneously on two sides of the globe. The 21st Centruy Beetle featuring Fender Premium Audio had people gushing. See what they had to say. READ MORE>

Audio engineers Chuck Adams, from Fender and Natan Budiono, of Panasonic discuss the challenges of collaborating on the newest premium audio system. WATCH VIDEO>

During the Chicago show's press preview, Panasonic's Jim Viola and Fender's Brian Tedeschi demonstrated their latest musical collaboration: a Fender-branded premium sound system designed for VW's Jetta GLI, Passat and New Beetle successor. Viola says this audio system recreates Fender's secret sauce: clean bass, punch and sound that's not harsh yet cuts through highway noise. READ MORE>

Acura and ELS Surround and Elliot Scheiner once again teamed up to support the MusiCares Person Of The Year Benefit. This year the Person of the Year was Barbara Streisand. A custom Acura ZDX featuring ELS Surround Premium Audio with autographs from all of the evenings performers was auctioned off to benefit the cause. READ MORE>

Joe Bruzek takes a look at the Chrysler UConnect System in the 2011 Dodge Charger. WATCH VIDEO>