Fender Premium Audio System, Developed In Collaboration With Panasonic, Featured On The Redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Fender and Panasonic bring concert sound to latest iteration of iconic car. End Quote

Detroit, MI (1888PressRelease) May 20, 2011 - Industry-leading mobile audio supplier Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America and Fender Musical Instruments Corp, the company that helped create the signature sound of modern music, today announced that the jointly designed Fender Premium Audio System will be featured in the all-new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.

The Fender Premium Audio System is a result of intensive collaboration between Panasonic and Fender. It encompasses three years of research and development, with teams working hand-in-hand with Volkswagen vehicle engineers. The result is a system customized to the interior of the new Beetle and offering owners that distinctive Fender sound.

Highlights of the Fender Premium Audio System include nine uniquely designed speakers and 400 watts of system power. The speakers feature proprietary Panasonic technology to reproduce the elements of a live concert in your vehicle.

"The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle evokes emotions and passion, much like music," said Mark Van Vleet, Fender senior vice president, business affairs. "When Volkwagen's designers came to us looking to bring back the spirit of the original, our goal was to create a unique sound that tapped into the power of music. The design intent was to give customers yet another conduit for that heartfelt connection with their car and an outlet to reconnect with the emotion of its design."

Allen Kudla, Sales and Marketing Senior Vice President, Panasonic Automotive Systems, added: "Just as Volkswagen took the spirit of the original and brought the shape, concept and legacy into 21st century, we wanted to take the audio system and complement that approach by infusing a blend of imagination, design and innovation. Panasonic's goal with the Fender Premium Audio system was to provide an original listening experience that would help foster a deep lasting bond with drivers."

The proprietary Panasonic speaker technology in the Fender Premium Audio System cuts through noise and other distractions with front dual voice coil speakers, and extended range for all musical genres.

The Fender Premium Audio System includes:

• Fender Deluxe™ Tweeter
- 2-ohm, soft dome with neodymium magnet
- Wide frequency range and extension
- Incredibly low distortion
- Excellent off-axis performance
- Reveals the harmonic richness of voices and instruments

• Fender Twin™ Speaker
- 20cm with dual voice coils
- Ribbed polypropylene honeycomb cone
- Wide frequency range and extension
- High power-handling capability
- Lightweight and low distortion
- Enjoyable, even when loud

• Fender Bassman™ Subwoofer
- 20cm with dual voice coils
- Lightweight and high-efficiency neodymium magnet
- Glass-fiber reinforced foamed paper
- Super-low distortion
- High power-handling capability
- Powerful and precise bass response

In addition to the Beetle, the Fender Premium Audio System is featured in the 2012 Passat and the 2012 Jetta GLI. In every case, Panasonic and Fender engineers worked meticulously to tune each system for the individual vehicle's interior, thus customizing the sound and allowing VW's customers to experience the raw emotion of a live performance each time they drive their vehicle.

About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:
Fender® is the number one U.S. guitar and amplifier brand and a name that is synonymous with rock 'n' roll. With an illustrious history dating back to 1946, Fender has touched and transformed music worldwide and in nearly every genre: rock 'n' roll, country and western, jazz, rhythm and blues, and many more. Everyone from enthusiasts and beginners to the world's most acclaimed artists and performers have used Fender instruments and amplifiers, in the process making the company not only a revered music industry name, but also a cultural icon. For more information, visit www.fender.com.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America:
Based in Peachtree City, Georgia, and with Detroit area operations located in Southfield, MI, 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, which coordinates global automotive industry systems and components operations. For more information on Panasonic, visit www.panasonic.com.

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