News Release

VIA Appoints New Embedded Platform Distributor for Europe

Leading European distributor Rutronik to offer VIA's cutting edge embedded processors and platform silicon throughout Europe, boosting VIA's growing presence in the embedded market

Taipei, Taiwan and Ispringen, Germany, 30 January 2004 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, today announced that it is teaming up with Rutronik Electronic Components GmbH, one of the leading European distributors of electronic components, for distribution of products marketed by the newly created VIA Embedded Platform Division (VEPD).

The agreement with Rutronik covers the complete range of VIA Eden™, VIA Eden-N and VIA C3® E-Series embedded processors, VIA's embedded platform core-logic chipsets and a wide array of companion chips, including networking, communications, multimedia and audio solutions.

"We are firmly committed to the embedded market in Europe, and our partnership with Rutronik is a key part of our expansion strategy," said Steven Lee, head of VIA Embedded Platform Division. "With their world-class logistics and extensive experience in the embedded industry, as well as their superior technical support structure, Rutronik enables us to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of our growing embedded customer base."

With the rapid growth of European embedded market, more developers are migrating to the x86 architecture to extend the functionality and performance capabilities of their embedded systems. VIA's embedded processor platforms, including the ultra small footprint VIA Eden-N processor boasting the Nano-BGA package, and the forthcoming VIA CN400 digital media chipset featuring the S3 Graphics UniChrome Pro 2D/3D graphics core with hardware MPEG-2/-4 acceleration and DDR400 support, constitute a very attractive offering for developers of new smart digital devices, from Digital Entertainment Centers and Personal Gaming Consoles to the fast emerging Robotics and Telematics markets.

"We are very excited to extend our product portfolio with the low power embedded microprocessor platforms from VIA and further increase the variety of embedded solutions we can offer to our customers," said Thomas Rudel, General Manager, Sales and Marketing at Rutronik. "Thanks to VIA's microprocessors and core logic solutions, our customers can include additional functionality in their designs, targeting new high-potential markets for smart connected digital devices."

About RUTRONIK Electronic Components GmbH

RUTRONIK Electronic Components GmbH is one of Europe's leading distributors of electronic components, offering high technology and standard products. We provide our customers with advice on product selection and use, and also support their logistics operations with customized supply-chain management.

In the exclusive world of pan-European distributors, RUTRONIK is a well known name. Founded in 1973, Rutronik has grown continuously to become one of the most important companies in its field, and has established the firm foundations needed for ongoing success in the fast-changing electronic components market. Rutronik combines innovation with outstanding expertise and a wide market presence. More information can be found at www.rutronik.com.

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