Cross Country Automotive Services Announces Results of Collaborative Initiative; Unveils Industry-First Connected Navigation and Infotainment Telematics Solution to Automotive Industry

Cross Country Automotive Services Announces Results of Collaborative Initiative; Unveils Industry-First Connected Navigation and Infotainment Telematics Solution to Automotive Industry

MEDFORD, Mass., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Cross Country Automotive Services (Cross Country), a leading provider of integrated vehicle and driver programs, today unveiled an industry-first connected navigation and infotainment telematics solution that blends personalized connected navigation, advanced infotainment options, and next generation vehicle monitoring and diagnostics. Debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show, this solution was developed by Cross Country in collaboration with a number of other companies including Continental AG, All Media Guide (AMG) Services -- recently acquired by Macrovision(R) Corporation, and TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ:TSYS). This solution underscores the strength and value of Cross Country's commitment to partner with best in class technology and services companies to deliver flexible, innovative solutions that both meet the current needs of automotive OEMs, and help them stay ahead of future market demands.

A key component of the solution -- a first of its kind in-vehicle platform from Continental AG -- transfers off-board mobile phone capabilities into the vehicle environment in a safe and convenient way. The result is a seamless means to transform a mobile phone into a personalized connected navigation device that combines intelligent voice recognition, predictive navigation and points of interest information that anticipate a driver's needs and deliver information just when it's needed.

"We pride ourselves in continual innovation to develop and deliver advanced solutions that help us fulfill our mission to be the service provider of choice for integrated vehicle and driver programs" said Bill Tolhurst, Senior Director of Telematics and LBS for Cross Country. "Cross Country brings a deep understanding of the information and assistance services required by the automotive market to make telematics live up to their customer's demands and expectations. By bringing our respective and complementary capabilities together, we will deliver comprehensive and innovative solutions automotive OEMs can deliver today and prepare them to stay ahead of tomorrow's market needs."

The telematics solution is powered by Continental's in-vehicle platform and Cross Country's award-winning telematics services. The first release of the system will also feature a mobile GPS navigation solution from TCS that provides real time navigation based on addresses sent by Cross Country via SMS or entered via the Continental in-vehicle system and displayed on the Continental system allowing customers to safely navigate to their location. AMG will provide the music recognition and discovery technologies. Expected to be available in second quarter of 2008, the first generation telematics platform will feature:

-- Personalized audio choices, including the ability to identify and
bookmark songs that are broadcast for play, personalized music
recommendations, and artist information to create a compelling user
experience
-- Vehicle diagnostics and interactive communications that automatically
notify the driver of problems, allowing the driver to request repair or
towing assistance if required
-- Safety and security notifications such as airbag deployment, crash
notification with services that enable remote door lock/unlock and
location-enabled roadside assistance
-- Next-generation location-aware alerts, integrated driving boundaries
and rules-defined driving restrictions

Bill Tolhurst added, "We are pleased to offer a new telematics solution that moves beyond our deep heritage in safety and security to deliver next- generation convenience and infotainment services. The market can expect the same level of execution and expertise as we continue to innovative and deliver flexible solutions that meet the needs of the marketplace."

"Successful telematics offerings will use a collaborative technology and partner architecture as the foundation to create cost-effective and flexible service offerings," said Thilo Koslowski, Vice President and Automotive Practice Leader at Gartner. "Device-to-vehicle integration solutions are critical to the success of telematics offerings. Solutions that allow consumers to use their mobile devices and consumer personalized content in the automobile via a customized user interface will create differentiation for automobile manufacturers."

Since the company's founding in 1972, Cross Country has been recognized for its ability to deliver solutions that create broad value for organizations by increasing customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Cross Country serves the automotive, insurance, financial services and retail markets with a client list that includes GM, Nissan/Infiniti, Volvo and Liberty Mutual.

About Cross Country Automotive Services

Headquartered in Medford, Massachusetts, Cross Country Automotive Services (www.crosscountry-auto.com) is a leading provider of integrated vehicle and driver programs in North America. Over 1,800 Cross Country employees serve more than 100 corporate clients and their more than 75 million customers each year. Cross Country Automotive Services is a member of The Cross Country Group, one of the largest privately-held providers of customer service programs in North America.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Cross Country Automotive Services

CONTACT: Kendra Boccelli, +1-617-645-3205, for Cross Country Automotive
Services

Web site:

http://www.crosscountry-auto.com/
http://www.cesweb.org/

-------
Profile: intent