Chrysler 2009 Annual Report Download - page 113

REPORT ON
OPERATIONS
OPERATING
PERFORMANCE
BY SECTOR
112
Electronic Systems
Total revenues were €501 million in 2009, an overall decrease of 12% over the previous year, with sales
performance in China and Brazil, however, going against the trend.
There was an increase in revenues from instrument panels (+10%), primarily attributable to higher volumes
for external customers. Revenues from telematics recorded a significant drop (-52%), however, due to the
shift in demand toward less content-rich infotainment products. Sales of products for vehicle interiors were
in line with 2008.
In the area of innovation, a number of new products were developed for instrument panels and vehicle interiors
for Fiat, Volkswagen/Audi and Ferrari. In the telematics area, development focused on the new radionavigation
platform for PSA, evolution of Blue&Me for Fiat and upgrades to Instant Nav for Fiat. For Ford, development
continued, in collaboration with Microsoft, on the new Fordworks system which, based on the Windows
platform, provides navigation and high-speed internet access.
Major new orders included instrument panels for Volkswagen, dashboard pin outs for Fiat models and
infotainment products for external customers. For telematics, new orders were acquired for the aftermarket
channel, including the tracking container and the TomTom kit for Fiat.
Exhaust Systems
Revenues totalled €543 million for 2009, a 15% drop over the previous year. The decrease reflected a negative price
effect linked to a fall in the market price of a core material that was partially offset by new product launches.
In terms of innovation, activities were focused on existing projects in the area of noise reduction for diesel
engines, sound quality (dual-mode muffler) and reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. During the
year, production and distribution began of Abarth brand exhausts with “dual-mode muffler” technology.
Major new orders included exhaust systems for new Euro 5 engines and a complete exhaust system for Seat.
Motorsport
During 2009, Magneti Marelli continued to be active at major sporting events, supplying electronic control
systems, fuel systems, electro-mechanical components and telemetry and data acquisition systems to such
major Formula 1 teams as Ferrari, Toyota, Renault, Toro Rosso and Red Bull.
Magneti Marelli also continued its involvement in the Rally and Moto GP championships. For the latter, it provided
electronic control and fuel injection systems to Yamaha (2009 World Champion), Ducati, Suzuki and Kawasaki.