Sprint (NYSE:S) today formally unveiled Sprint Velocity, a comprehensive global end-to-end solution designed specifically for automakers as part of the Technology Showcase at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. Sprint introduced its Sprint Velocity service to a packed audience of automotive media and auto industry executives during the show’s Press Days.

Sprint Velocity is a pioneering capability that encompasses the development, integration and marketing of in-vehicle communications systems. Automakers can use Sprint Velocity as a complete turnkey solution or on a modular basis to suit their customized needs.

During the press conference, Sprint executives showcased how Sprint Velocity helps auto manufacturers more easily integrate the complex components and vendor relationships needed to provide the best in connected services in autos and passenger trucks – whether it’s music, news, weather, sports and other infotainment features, security, navigation, remote connections for mobile devices, emergency services and engine diagnostics. View Sprint Velocity video.

“Sprint Velocity enables auto manufacturers to customize the variety of connected features inside the vehicle, through the simplicity of a single point of mobile integration and enablement,” said Wayne Ward, vice president-Emerging Solutions, Sprint. “Automakers simply collaborate with Sprint on the specific features they desire for their vehicles and Sprint will handle the rest. We believe Sprint Velocity is the most technologically advanced and most comprehensive connected services platform for auto manufacturers, wherever they’re located around the globe.”

According to Machina Research, 90 percent of new passenger cars are expected to have some of form of connectivity platform by 2020. Machina forecasts the connected cars market will reach $600 billion by 2020, the largest category in a $4.5 trillion market for connected devices and services.*

With Sprint Velocity, automakers have the potential to generate new sources of revenue while economizing on cost, because Sprint can handle the entire mobile integration of the in-car experience. Sprint Velocity also helps build better customer loyalty between the automaker and the consumer by developing deeper, ongoing relationships with their customers directly.

“Sprint has combined its expertise in wireless technology, devices and consumer marketing into a new core competency that automakers can tap into,” said Ward. “Sprint is a trailblazer in the expanded category of mobile integrator, enabling automakers with an open, modular and agnostic network platform instead of just network connections. With Sprint Velocity, we’ve taken a critical step forward in creating value by combining technical integration with an intense level of expertise in wireless customer experience, customer relationship management and wireless applications.”

Sprint Velocity offers vehicle manufacturers an integrated set of capabilities, which can also be offered in a modular manner, encompassing telematics, ecosystem development, consumer relationship marketing and advanced global network connectivity. Key features of the Sprint Velocity solution include:

Adaptation of consumer communications to the unique vehicle environment: With extensive experience providing machine-to-machine (M2M) connected transportation services, Sprint brings specialized knowledge of how drivers and passengers interact with wireless-based applications. This expertise includes prioritizing the needs of drivers to stay focused through such features as hands-free calling and texting. Sprint Velocity also helps automakers integrate a multiplicity of connected services, including navigation, infotainment, wireless 9-1-1 calling, roadside assistance, security features and engine diagnostics.

Management of complex vendor relationships: Sprint brings its M2M ecosystem experience into play for automakers by leading the process of selecting, coordinating and integrating the wide range of ecosystem collaborators required to implement and support in-vehicle services.

Sprint Connected Vehicle Platform: As the technological foundation of Sprint Velocity, the Sprint Connected Vehicle Platform brings automakers the advantages of Sprint’s open approach to M2M and telematics. The platform provides a network-agnostic, best-in-class telematics capability that ensures agile, adaptable and scalable systems development. It can be deployed globally using multiple network providers worldwide, including Sprint’s dependable and continually improving U.S. network. The Sprint Connected Vehicle Platform also accommodates embedded head units or mobile phones brought into the vehicle, depending on the automaker’s preferred design.

Open global connectivity and support: Sprint Velocity is a global solution, supported by Sprint’s worldwide relationships with a broad selection of best-coverage, best-cost global network providers and the company’s own team of experienced technical experts in more than 30 countries.

Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM) and intelligent data expertise: In-vehicle connected services open the opportunity for a new level of continuous relationships between automakers and their customers. Sprint brings auto manufacturers the benefit of its own extensive relationship experience with smartphone and tablet users. Sprint Velocity makes that experience available by helping automakers use intelligent data to better understand and adapt to customer preferences for communications, develop and market products, support lifecycle management and manage a consumer subscription model.

Personalization of the user experience: Sprint’s technology, applications and customer relationship capabilities combine into an end-to-end, customized approach that allows automakers to create a distinct in-vehicle communications experience for each brand, each model or even each driver. As a result, Sprint Velocity helps automakers further humanize the driving and riding experience by making it easier for vehicle operators to stay focused and by providing passengers with infotainment options that are seamless with their experience at home, at work or while taking a walk.

“True to its name, Sprint Velocity is all about speed and direction,” said Mike Bray, vice president and general manager-Connected Vehicle Program, Sprint. “This solution allows an auto manufacturer to efficiently accelerate mobile integration and manage costs while better understanding how customers relate to its brands and models and directing the in-vehicle experience to meet those preferences. As a result, auto companies can better configure connected services to match the individual personality of each brand, each vehicle or even each driver.”

As the inaugural customer for Sprint Velocity, Chrysler Group has joined in a strategic partnership with Sprint designed to seamlessly integrate wireless technology into Chrysler Group’s Uconnect Access in-vehicle communication system. Uconnect Access is initially available in the redesigned 2013 Ram 1500 and all-new SRT Viper supercar. View this video to learn more about the relationship between Sprint and Chrysler.

“Key factors in our decision to choose Sprint,” said Marios Zenios, head of Uconnect Systems and Services, Chrysler Group LLC, “included Sprint’s best-in-class end-to-end telematics platform, secure and reliable network, unparalleled relationships within the telematics and broad M2M ecosystem, and nimble consumer market experience, including a deep understanding of how customers experience and interact with wireless-based applications, both in and out of the vehicle.”

Sprint Network Leadership

The Network Vision initiative is designed to enhance customers’ network experience with faster data speeds, improved voice quality and easier connectivity. Sprint expects the Network Vision improvements to be mostly complete by the end of 2013.

About the Sprint Emerging Solutions Group

Sprint’s M2M leadership has earned prestigious third-party validation, including the top-ranked “North American M2M Provider” and “No. 2 Overall Ranked Carrier,” among 12 global service providers, by Analysys Mason and a 2011 Frost & Sullivan “Customer Value Enhancement Award in North America for Machine to Machine Communications.” To learn more about Sprint’s M2M offerings, visit www.sprint.com/m2m.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served nearly 56 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

^*Source: GSM Association and Machina Research: The Connected Life: A USD4.5 trillion global impact in 2020; February 2012