Clarion Joins the Google Open Automotive Alliance as a Contributing Member

New Alliance Aims to Advance In-Vehicle Information and Connectivity Systems to the Next Level

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Jun 27, 2014, 12:00 ET

CYPRESS, Calif., June 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarion, a leading In-Vehicle Information and Connectivity Solutions Provider, announced today that the company has become a member of the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA).

Headquartered in Cypress, California, Clarion Corporation of America is a subsidiary of Japan-based Clarion Co., Ltd, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2006. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company is engaged in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, infotainment, communication, safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments. Clarion has been the recipient of numerous excellence awards for design, innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations. The company has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the web at www.clarion.com/us . (PRNewsFoto/Clarion Corporation of America) (PRNewsFoto/Clarion Corporation of America)

The OAA is a global alliance of technology and auto industry leaders committed to bringing the Android platform to cars. Working together, members of the alliance will bring a new in-vehicle connectivity experience to Android-based smartphone users including a streamlined "designed-for-car" interface and the ability to use many of their favorite apps while driving by simply projecting them on to the vehicle's screen.

Clarion is among a select group of leaders in the in-vehicle connectivity space that bring to OAA several years of experience related to designing connected in-vehicle systems with superior HMI, reliability and safety. Like others joining the OAA, Clarion is convinced that a powerful alliance will be able to rapidly advance the connected car experience, driving innovation and creativity to new levels.

"Clarion is quite excited to join this prestigious alliance of global technology and automotive industry leaders," stated Hidetoshi Kawamoto, President of Clarion group. "Clarion sees significant opportunities with the implementation of a standardized, Android-based platform for cloud connectivity and app use in the car for both the OEM and Aftermarket environments. With that in mind, we are committed to take advantage of the collaborative environment that is fostered by the OAA and supported by Google in order to bring a greater, simpler and more powerful experience to Clarion customers across the globe in the near future."

Based on nearly seventy five years of innovation and experience in audio and entertainment solutions designed specifically for automotive and marine markets, Clarion believes that the key to success in the in-vehicle connectivity and infotainment space is in designing systems that benefit from a robust standard, operate intuitively and deliver minimal involvement from the drivers. Clarion is currently working on several new in-vehicle connectivity products that will take advantage of the capabilities and standards that OAA members plan to introduce to the market as early as 2015.

About Clarion

Headquartered in Cypress, California, Clarion Corporation of America is a subsidiary of Japan-based Clarion Co. Ltd, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2006. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company is engaged in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, infotainment, communication, safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments. Clarion has been the recipient of numerous excellence awards for design, innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations. The company has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the web at www.clarion.com.

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SOURCE Clarion Corporation of America