MILPITAS, Calif., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Exciting colors are coming to a vehicle near you. The inventive minds at JDSU , have set the stage for a revolution in vehicle colors. JDSU will be showing off its ChromaFlair and SpectraFlair pigments at this year's SEMA Show, the premier automotive specialty products trade event, Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"New customization technologies are revolutionizing car color -- allowing consumers to select from a wide variety of new looks including vibrant yellows, oranges, greens, purples with new textures," says Barb Parker, color designer at JDSU. "Thanks to breakthrough design efforts already used on consumer products from cellular phones to sports equipment, we have really begun to change what we expect in product design. Consumers are looking for options beyond just silver and black, and mass customization and new paint technologies are allowing people to express themselves through their color choices."

    Some key color design trends shaping this year's SEMA Show will include:

    -- Mass customization -- Special pigments and paints, such as JDSU's
       ChromaFlair and SpectraFlair pigments, make it possible for car
       manufacturers to apply a variety of stand-out colors and effects that
       will satisfy car buyers' desire for individuality.
    -- The sophisticated consumer -- Influenced by the sleek style of
       high-tech product design, fashion trends, and do-it-yourself design
       shows, consumers are more willing to experiment with new car colors.
    -- Bucking tradition -- Tradition no longer controls decision-making, and
       it is increasingly common to see a luxury car painted in a bright,
       glittery blue or red usually associated with custom paint more typical
       of sports cars.
    -- Extreme contrasts -- Consumers have made it clear that they want
       extremes -- from the more sporty, yet staid, retro colors of the Mini
       Cooper to the bold effects and bright colors offered as options on GM's
       vehicles.

"Colors project our feelings," adds Parker. "Silver dominates in hard times, as they have the last few years, while green, which was common during the '90s, reflects optimism. White, black, and beige are conservative colors. And red, orange, and yellow are 'look at me' colors."

At SEMA, several GM vehicles will feature paint containing JDSU's unique pigments. Car and color combinations will include:

    -- a Pontiac G8 with JDSU ChromaFlair Red/Gold color-shifting pigment --
       shifts from red through orange and yellow into green
    -- a GMC Sierra Denali painted in Bright Silver -- a JDSU SpectraFlair
       pigment with a liquid silver color
    -- a Suburban with JDSU ChromaFlair Silver/Green pigment -- shifts from
       silver through green into purplish blue
    -- a Silverado Z71 with JDSU ChromaFlair Gold/Silver pigment -- shifts
       from gold to blue silver

"JDSU's pigments enable dazzling effects on basic colors such as silver, black and white," said Christopher Webb, GM exterior-color and trend designer. "With their unique technology we are able to stay ahead of the color curve and capitalize on key color trends."

JDSU Color Technology

With its thin-film technology, JDSU has shed new light on color. ChromaFlair pigments are comprised of multi-layer pigment flakes that appear to change color when viewed from different angles. Each flake exhibits a wide range of hues depending on the angle at which it is viewed and the angle of incidence of light. SpectraFlair pigments, made up of flakes of magnesium fluoride and aluminum, add a multicolored, diffractive appearance that creates the illusion of movement and makes products appear three-dimensional.

View JDSU's dazzling pigments by visiting GM's SEMA Show booth -- # 23741.

For more information on JDSU ChromaFlair and SpectraFlair pigments, please visit http://www.jdsu.com/index.cfm?pagepath=Products/Decorative, or contact JDSU customer service at 707-525-7007 for the appropriate in-country contact information. Product photos are available upon request.

About JDSU

JDSU is committed to enabling broadband & optical innovation in the communications, commercial and consumer markets. JDSU is a leading provider of communications test and measurement solutions and optical products for telecommunications service providers, cable operators, and network equipment manufacturers. Furthermore, JDSU is a leading provider of innovative optical solutions for medical/environmental instrumentation, semiconductor processing, display, brand authentication, aerospace and defense, and decorative applications. More information is available at http://www.jdsu.com.

Contact Information

Investors: Michelle Levine 408-546-4421 or michelle.levine@jdsu.com