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New Year -- New Mio: MiTac Announces Merger of Mio Technology and Navman Brands

MiTAC International Corporation
2008-01-08 10:57 1083

Merger Combines Mio Technology's Hardware Heritage with Navman's Software and Content Expertise to Create New Force in Satellite Navigation

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Jan. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MiTAC International Corporation (TAIEX: 2315) today announced the formal merger of its two GPS navigation device subsidiaries -- Mio Technology and Navman. The merger follows MiTAC's acquisition of the Navman portable navigation business from Brunswick Corporation in March 2007. The formal merger will create a single operating company with a new brand identity and an exciting, new product line up for 2008.

Both companies have a history of innovation in the GPS market including a number of industry firsts, such as the first dedicated portable in-car navigation device, the first smartphone with integrated GPS receiver and the first portable navigation device with 3D street mapping. In addition to this focus on product innovation, the merger brings together very complementary distribution channels and shared expertise in GPS hardware, software and content to create a significant, new force in the GPS market.

"With the merger of the Mio and Navman brands, two complementary organizations have been brought together with a shared passion for delivering consumers the best navigation experience. Mio Technology brings core competencies in hardware to the table, and Navman brings expertise in software and content, creating a stronger proposition that is better able to create unique, innovative products and services," said Billy Ho, president, MiTAC International Corporation. "2008 will be an exciting year for the newly combined company with innovative new products, a significantly larger workforce and expanded distribution channels. Both companies are already recognized as challenger brands in the GPS market with very feature-rich, competitive products and the combined company has the potential to be a true market leader."

Following the merger, the Navman brand will continue to exist in selected markets, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. All products in the UK market will be Navman branded, while the company will initially offer both Navman and Mio products in Spain. In regions where the Navman brand will cease to be present, Mio Technology will continue to offer existing Navman users the same level and array of after-services.

The newly combined company will be demonstrating the latest Mio Technology and Navman products at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (Jan. 7-10) on the Mio booth (LVCC South Hall 4, Booth 35344).

About MiTAC

MiTAC International is a global information technology company headquartered in Taiwan and publicly listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Its businesses span three major areas -- client systems (desktop computers and digital home entertainment products), enterprise systems (workstations, servers, and storage equipment), and mobile communications (handheld GPS devices, smart phones, and mobile entertainment devices). MiTAC International currently has large vertically integrated manufacturing sites in China as well as extensive R&D facilities in the US, China, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. MiTAC International also has marketing operations in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and many other countries. The company is recognized by the technology press and throughout the industry for such strengths as its sophisticated supply chain management and integrated design-and-manufacturing system. The company was recently named one of Business Week magazine's Information Technology 100 top global IT firms. MiTAC website: http://www.mitac.com .

Contact:

Sammy Huang

Public Relations Office

Mitac International Corp.

Tel: +886-2-2627-1188 ext 5963

Email: Sammy.Huang@mic.com.tw

Source: MiTAC International Corporation
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