Contact: Marlene Goldsmith (248) 372-8222 marlene_goldsmith@denso-diam.com www.densocorp-na.com www.globaldenso.com DENSO DISTINCTIONS Who is DENSO? DENSO, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced automotive technology, systems and components, serving all major automakers. Global Network DENSO employs 104,000 associates in 31 countries, including Japan. Associates/Locations in the Americas DENSO employs 15,000 people at 33 group companies, joint ventures and affiliates in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Quality First Quality has been central to the development and production of automobile components at DENSO since the companyÕs inception in 1949. As early as 1961, DENSO Corporation was awarded JapanÕs famous Deming Quality Prize. In 2002, J.D. Power and Associates recognized DENSO with its prestigious ChairmanÕs Award for dedication to providing consistent high quality systems and components to automotive manufacturers. DENSO is the first automotive component supplier to receive this award. DENSO has twice been awarded General Motors Supplier Corporation of the Year (1997 and 2001), an annual award given to only one supplier from GMÕs supplier base of 30,000. In addition, GM has named DENSO Supplier of the Year for 10 consecutive years. In 2002, Ford Motor Company awarded DENSO with its Recognition of Achievement World Excellence Award. In 2003, DaimlerChrysler recognized DENSO with the Global Supplier Award, the companyÕs highest supplier award given to only eight suppliers. In 2004, DENSO received 29 additional customer awards for quality and delivery. Manufacturing A North American manufacturer for more than 27 years, DENSOÕs 24 North American manufacturing facilities operate on a foundation of continuous improvement. -- more -- Research & Development A consistently high level of R&D investment has been central to creating DENSOÕs renowned technological expertise in numerous product categories. DENSO annually commits approximately 8 to 10 percent of its non-consolidated sales revenue for research and development. This drives technological innovation, which, in turn, generates the next cycle of products. DENSOÕs fundamental R&D structure is built on a number of organizations in Japan Ð the DENSO Research Laboratories, Corporate R&D Department, Production Engineering R&D Department, Nippon Soken Inc., and DENSO IT Laboratory. Each of DENSOÕs six key business groups Ð Thermal Systems, Powertrain Systems, Electronic Systems, Electric Systems, Small Motors and ITS Ð also have independent R&D sections. In developing new technologies, DENSO focuses on three strategic areas: safety, information and communications and the environment. DENSO Engineers Worldwide, DENSO employs more than 8,000 engineers. Of these, nearly 5,000 dedicate themselves to research and development of products 3 to 15 years in advance of entering the marketplace. Technology Leadership DENSOÕs drive to develop new technologies focuses on three strategic areas: safety, information and communications, and the environment. Our ultimate goal, as a leading automotive component supplier, is to create automobile systems that enhance car safety and comfort and reduce the impact of the car on the environment, while at the same time transcending existing product categories and fields. Environmental Leadership As one of the worldÕs leading automotive suppliers, DENSO strives to reduce the impact of the car on the environment. To do this, the company has implemented numerous initiatives that influence all stages of the life of the car, from manufacturing processes where DENSO is directly involved, through car use and end-of-life stages. All are based on DENSO EcoVision 2015, a 10-year environmental goals and objectives plan. _ The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized DENSO with the 2004 EPA Climate Protection Award at the agencyÕs Earth Technologies Forum for developing the electrical inverter air conditioning system. The system, developed with Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Industries Corporation, provides cooling for the 2003 Toyota Prius during "idle" stop when the engine shuts down to save fuel and emissions. Additionally, the EPA awarded DENSO with the Climate Protection Award in 2002 and 1993. In 2002, DENSO developed the worldÕs first mass-produced CO2 refrigerant, heat-pump water heater for households. The heater was developed with Tokyo Electric Power Company and TokyoÕs Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry. In 1993, DENSO (formerly Nippondenso Co. Ltd.) earned the honor for developing methods to convert air conditioning systems to HFC-13a, a more environmentally friendly coolant, which replaced the ozone-depleting refrigerant CFC-12. _ In late 2001, Innovest Strategic Value Advisors ranked DENSO first among 18 automobile parts and supply companies in its environmental rating survey. DENSOÕs global environmental actions that contributed to this ranking included its five-year worldwide environmental management plan (DENSO EcoVision 2005); a product environmental management system (EMS), and an annual environmental report published. -- more -- Management Industry Week magazine named DENSO one of the "100 Best-Managed Corporations in the World" for two consecutive years. North American History DENSO has been doing business in North America for more than 40 years. Global History The book, Proud Past, Strong Future: A History of DENSOÕs First 50 Years, is available to working media through the Corporate Communications department at DENSO International America. First North American Product DENSOÕs first North American product was a starter-generator designed for and sold to McCullough Chainsaws (downloadable photo available in Media Center on www.densocorp-na.com). Guinness World Record One DENSO research project resulted in a Guinness World Record for the WorldÕs Smallest Motorized Car Ñ the DENSO Micro-Car. About the size of a grain of rice, the Micro-Car project advanced DENSOÕs capabilities in ultra- precision machining and semi-conductor processing technologies. It also demonstrated the potential of micro-machine technology for both industrial and medical applications. # # # 10/3/05