Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America and Abbey Road Studios to Collaborate on In-Vehicle Audio Systems

DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Building upon a history of providing the industry's top in-vehicle entertainment systems, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America has formed a working agreement with a global music industry icon - the legendary Abbey Road Studios - to develop custom audio systems for the automotive market.

The exclusive agreement provides the framework for the two leaders in their respective industries to work together to create customized products for the global automotive market.

Abbey Road Studios, the birthplace of stereo recording, is arguably the most famous recording studio complex in the world. Legendary and timeless, it has an unparalleled status in the history of music - a place where some of the world's most celebrated artists, producers, composers and performers have come to record.  Abbey Road remains one of the most technically advanced recording and mixing facilities in the world. With award-winning engineers, unique acoustic spaces, the greatest working microphone collection in the world, and a unique blend of vintage equipment and modern technology, it is easy to see why music industry legends return time and time again to record, mix and master their music.

As lifestyle branding and the creation of emotional experiences plays an ever-growing role in the automobile, and as more and more vehicles are equipped with increasingly advanced systems for in-vehicle entertainment, Panasonic Automotive and Abbey Road Studios will work together to develop audio solutions that provide superior technology as well as emotional connections with consumers. 

"The collaboration with Abbey Road is intended to appeal to a broad range of consumers, both young and old," said Tom Gebhardt, President, Panasonic Automotive Systems of America. "Driven to create an emotional experience for any music genre, this collaboration is intended to combine more than 80 years of Abbey Road Studios history with Panasonic's 60 years of automotive experience."

"In today's marketplace, consumers expect an exceptional level of emotional commitment and transparency from the brands they trust, associate themselves with, and ultimately buy," said Gebhardt. "By truly understanding and identifying with consumer needs and aspirations, we are able to bring to market product experiences that directly meet our customer's performance requirements while at the same time fulfilling an emotional desire."

Speaking of the agreement, Jonathan Smith, senior vice president, Abbey Road Studios said, "We are delighted to be working with such a strong partner that has a shared passion for the very best in audio. We look forward to developing an exciting range of products, which will bring some of the Abbey Road magic to music lovers' vehicles."

Gebhardt noted that the strength of the Panasonic and Abbey Road Studios brands would have tremendous appeal to markets across the globe.

About Abbey Road Studios
London, UK's Abbey Road Studios is the most famous recording complex in the world and an iconic symbol of British music. Opened in 1931, the studios celebrated their 80^th anniversary last year and have been home to countless landmark recordings and pioneering advances in recording technology. Many of the world's most famous artists have recorded some of their greatest work at Abbey Road Studios including The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Hollies, Oasis, Elbow, Coldplay, Lady Gaga and Adele.

As one of the world's premiere locations for movie scoring since the 1980s, films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Braveheart, the Lord of The Rings Trilogy and The King's Speech have been recorded there. The list continues with many other major titles including Shrek, Harry Potter, Skyfall and The Hobbit.

Recently a number of blockbuster videogames such as Halo & Call of Duty have also recorded their soundtracks at Abbey Road.

For more information on Abbey Road Studios please visit: www.abbeyroad.com.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
Based in Peachtree City, Georgia, and with Detroit-area operations located in Farmington Hills, Mich., Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a division company of Secaucus, New Jersey-based Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. (NYSE: PC) of Osaka, Japan, one of the world's leading developers and producers of innovative digital and other electronic products for consumer, business and industrial use. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America also acts as the North American operating company of Panasonic's Automotive Systems Company of Japan, which coordinates global automotive industry systems and components operations. For more information on Panasonic Automotive, please visit: www.panasonic.com/business/automotive.

SOURCE Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America