Cygnus
Monthly
Topics:
Delphi
and Calsonic extend J/V production of compressor for
air-conditioner.
Both companies
have established a J/V production plant "Delphi automotive
systems-Calsonic corporation" in Hungary for CVC compressors
considering the significant increase in the need for car
air-conditioners in Europe. This is their 2nd joint venture in
Europe after France. Delphi shares the majority. --- October 6,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Aishin
Takaoka supplies suspension components made by Hydro-forming
process to Toyota Celica and Majesta.
The hydro-forming
process inflates a steel tube in a metal-die to form a product of
complicated shape which is usually made by stamping press process
with steel sheets and associated assembling process by welding.
The inflating pressure is said to be 900 kg/sq.cm. --- October 6,
Nikkei-Sangyo
TRW Japan and Lucas-Varity Japan unite their head offices in
Tokyo.
The staff of
Lucas-Varity Japan and Luca-Varity Automotive Japan moved to TRW
Tokyo office (Chuo-ku, Tokyo). TRW plans to establish a technical
center for steering components and brake systems in Japan by
autumn next year. --- October 5, Nikkei-Sangyo
Taiheiyo-Kogyo developed an on-board monitoring system
for tire pressure and temperature.
The system
consists of a small wireless transmitters including a low tire
pressure sensor and a tire temperature sensor, and an in-cabin
receiver with an antenna and a monitor display. The transmitters
are to be attached to wheels aside of tire-valves. --- October 4,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Nissan Cedric and Gloria adopted metal driven CVT.
Nissan developed
the world-first metal driven CVT and introduce it in 3-liter
class luxurious models replacing 5-speed AT by November 8. The
CVT is named as Extroid CVT (half-troidal) and contributes to
reduce fuel consumption about 10%. Smaller cars of Nissan stay to
use belt-driven CVT for lower cost. --- October 2,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Bridgestone
supplies Run-Flat tires to BMW Z8
--- September 29,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Showa
Canada supplies suspension module to Honda Canada.
Showa Canada will
assemble front suspension modules consisting of disc brakes,
hubs, knuckles, suspension components, and rear suspension
modules including 7 component parts for Honda SUV starting June
next year. --- September 29, Nikkei-Sangyo
Toyoda
Jido Shokki (looming machine) developed light weight plastic
window.
Toyoda Jido
Shokki developed a multi-layer type plastic window which has a
nature of scratch-resistant surface and color stability under
sunshine for long time in cooperation with Mitsubishi Engineering
Plastics. The first applied sunroof window for Toyota Celica
consists of two sheets made of high-hardness silicone film and
acrylic film, and inner injection molded polycarbonate layer. --- September
22, Nikkei-Sangyo
Fujitsu-Ten established a software development company in
Philippine.
The new company
"Fujitsu-Ten Software Philippine" starts marketing of
software development for automotive electronics systems and car
audio-visual devices. Its advantage is price competitiveness by
low cost operation. --- September 16, Fujitsu-Ten Press
Release
Nippon
Piston Ring received orders for LPG engine valve seat from
Renault.
NPR starts
shipping this autumn. In the future, NPR will replace it by the
products of its licensed supplier in Europe. --- September 7,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Tokico awarded to supply semi-active suspension module to Ford.
Tokico USA and
Visteon will supply the suspension module jointly to MY2002
luxury models of Ford US. Visteon shares electronic system and
Tokico makes up module at its US plant. Tokico USA will supply
shockabsorber module to Ford SUV spring 2000. --- September 2,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Mitsubishi Motors dveloped hi-tensile low weight steel sheet.
In cooperation
with big 3 steel makers ( Shin-Nittetsu, Sumitomo Metal, Kobe
Steel), MMC developed super hi-tensile steel sheet and adopted it
into 80 parts of new Pajero 4WD. The new material contributed to
reduce the weight about 14 kg per car. --- August 30,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Koyo Seiko developed a light
weight electric power steering unit for mimi-cars.
Koyo developed a
column type electric power steering unit and started supply to
mini-cars. It has a magnetoresistive torque sensor for steering
effort detection and a plastic worm wheel combined with a
motor-driven pinion gear. The worm wheel is mounted on the
prolonged shaft of the steering pinion over the rack. --- Nikkei
Mechanical, August issue
Delphi awarded to supply steering units to Nissan SUV in US.
Saginaw of Delphi
succeeded to get contracts to supply integral type steering units
to Nissan MY2000 SUVs. --- August 18,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Rhythm's JV in US awarded to supply stabilizers with ball joints
to GM.
Big Bend
Technologies, an US JV subsidiary of Rhythm, succeeded to get
contracts with GM for MY2001 cars. Rhythm (Hamamatsu) is a
subsidiary supplier of Nissan. --- August 18, Nikkei-Sangyo
Arvin International(Indiana) establishes a technical center in
Japan for supply of mufflers.
Arvin has a sales
branch in Tokyo, and will proceed into collaboration with a
Japanese supplier for joint production of mufflers using locally
made parts. Its customers are Toyota, Mazda, and MMC. --- Nikkei-Sangyo
Ford Visteon acquires Mazda's electronics supplier NALDEC.
Visteon is
intensifying its acquisition program in Japan. Mazda agreed to
sell the whole shares of NALDEC (50/50 JV with NEC) after buying
of NEC's share. NALDEC is the main supplier of electronics
systems to Mazda. Visteon is still positive to buy other
electronics and electric parts suppliers to Mazda before March
200.
--- August 11, Nikkei
Suzuki studies production of GM Asia car in Japan.
Suzuki may
assemble GM Asia car at its Hamamatsu-Kosei plant where it is
assembling popular Suzuki Wagon R series. It suggests compatible
use of low-cost Suzuki parts into the Asia car. It will complete
the study by September 1999. --- August 6, Suzuki press
release
Delphi collaborates with Ashimori for seatbelt supply.
Ashimori gives
Delphi the license for manufacturing process of seatbelt. Both
companies will establish a JV manufacturer and Delphi starts
supply of seatbelt to US and European customers. Ashimori's
current Japanese customers will be excluded from Delphi's
marketing. --- August 4,
Ashimori press release
ZF establishes a JV steering manufacturer with JKC.
Following to the
Bosch's establishment of the JV " Bosch Brake Systems
Japan" with JKC and Zexel, ZFLS and JKC agreed to separate
the current licensed steering business from brake and establish a
JV steering unit/system supplier by October, 2000. ZF will have
80% equity. --- August 3,
Nikkei-Sangyo
TDK and Murata increase
manufacturing of chip-capacitors.
To respond to
increasing demand for chip capacitors mainly from mobile phone
industry, Japanese manufacturers are determined to invest in
domestic and overseas manufacturing facilities. --- August 2, Nikkei-Sangyo
Aisin reorganizes manufacturing plants and distributors in US and
Mexico.
The plan includes
transfer of door parts manufacturing from AUM (Indiana) to
Mexico, engine component parts to AAC (Kentucky), drive train and
chassis parts to ADT (Indiana), and electronics parts to AE
(Calif). Two own distributors will be united. --- July 30,
Nikkei-Sangyo
Tokai Rika reinforces SE Asian
production.
It plans to
establish an area supply center of switches from Thailand and
bags (airbags) from Vietnam. Some of them will be exported to
Japan and England. --- July 28, Nikkan-Kogyo
Nissan sold 5.5 million stocks of Akebono to Delphi.
Delphi has become
the 4th place shareholder having 6% of Akebono after acquisition
from Nissan. Though Nissan stays as the 3rd shareholder leaving
7.5%. --- Nissan Press
Release
Nissan extends use of aluminum suspension parts.
Following the
adoption to luxurious Cedric and Gloria, Nissan extends use of
aluminum made suspension arms and radius rods to its flagship
President and Cima reducing 20 kg of weight per car. Hitachi
Metal supplies SSM casted parts. --- Nissan Press Release
Nihon-Gaishi suceeded ultra thin
honeycombed ceramics.
It started sample
supply of thin wall-thickness, 0.05 mm, honeycombed ceramics
catalyst. It has 900 cells per square cm. --- July 23,
Nikkan-Kogyo
Aisin, TSK and Keihin establish
each J/V manufacturing site in India.
Each J/V will
shortly start supply their products to locally assembled cars and
bikes. Aisin supplies door components to Toyota, TSK supplies
control cables to Honda, and Keihin supplies carburetors to bike
assemblers. --- July 19, 22, and 26,
Nikkan-Kogyo
NTN developed constant velocity steering joint, CVJ.
NTN succeeded to
develop a world-first CV steering joint for cars and cabover type
vehicles. It performs constant velocity torque transmission in
0-40 degree angle, and weight reduction in comparison to
conventional cross-joint is about 50%. NTN started sample sales.
---
July
23, Nikkan-Kogyo
Muto-Seimitsu's English subsidiary TAP starts supply to Hungary.
TAP supplies monthly 10,000 pcs of front hubs to Suzuki
Hangary by this August.
--- July 19,
Nikkan-Kogyo
Agreed common parts supply network
JNX starts trial introduction.
JAMA (automakers
association), JAPA (automotive parts suppliers association), and
JARI (research institute) have agreed to the technical
specifications of JNX (the same concept to ANX), and will conduct
trial introduction this autumn. Series introduction will commence
within next year. About 40 - 50 potential suppliers will
participate in JNX, and reduce considerably their EDP costs on
ordertaking, production control, and delivery. Currently
automakers have been operating their specific networks with every
supplier. The introduction of JNX will seriously effect to almost
fixed relationship between parent automakers and their own
KEIRETSU (subsidiary) suppliers. --- July 13, Nikkei
Littelfuse, Inc. (IL) goes direct
marketing and sales.
Littelfuse
reinforces its Japan branch to start direct sales to potential
automotive customers in Japan, except for licensed production of
blade type fuses by Taiheiyo-Seiko. It aims to sell their
products positively for EV and hybrid vehicle application.
Current import-distributor PICO (Tokyo ) will continue the
business with non-automotive customers. --- July 9, Nikkei-Sangyo
Honda releases 3-liter car this autumn.
Honda announced
that it would launch 2-seater and 3-liter hybrid car Insight
which is equipped with electric motor and 1-liter lean burn VTEC
gasoline engine this autumn. Insight runs 35km per one liter of
gasoline. The car will have unitized Aluminum structure body that
has reduced 40% of body weight in comparison to steel body.
Presumed sales price is 200 million yen and target sales volume
is 10,000 units a year --- July 6, Honda press release
Calsonic and Kansei unite their technical centers in US.
Kansei team will
move to Calsonic
technical center for joint operation in the suburban area of
Detroit by August 1999. The integrated new center will focus on
development of cockpit module and ITS systems. --- June 28, 1999
Nikkei Sangyo
Mitsubishi Motors sells Mazda
commercial vans and trucks as Mitsubishi Delica.
Both companies
agreed that MMC discontinues production of Delica vans and
trucks, up to 2-ton payload, and sells Mazda made Bongo light
commercials with badges of Mitsubishi Delica.
However MMC will continue production and sales of own made Delica
RVs. The decision was effected by the mandatory new safety
standard for intensified frontend crash worthiness to be applied
to LCV by July 1999. Now Mazda is to supply Bongo commercials to
Ford, Nissan and MMC. --- June 18, press release of MMC and
Mazda
Teikoku
Piston Ring Co. establishes a JV with Federal-Mogul.
Teikoku P.R. establishes a JV
manufacturing company in Lake City, Minn. with Federal Mogul TP
Liners Inc. by summer 1999. The new company aims to produce $ 10
million annually by spring 2001. --- June 15, The Japan Times
Toyoda Gosei
sets up local production of weatherstripping in Canada and UK.
The 3rd plant in Canada will be
ready at Ontario by summer 2000 for Daimler-Chrysler, and the 1st
UK plant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire for Toyota France will be
built by the end of 2000 as a JV with Toyota Tsusho ( trading )
corp. Mr. Stephen Byers, Britain's secretary of state for trade
and industry, who was visiting Tokyo, participated in the press
meeting and stated welcome address. --- June 11, Nikkei Sangyo & June 14,
press release
Mitsubishi
Motors extends international operations.
1. With Volvo Truck, MMC agreed on the
Joint development of less exhaust emission diesel engines to meet
tighter 2004 regulations. Both companies also agreed to cooperate
in the joint development of transmission gearboxes and truck
cabins. --- June 9, MMC
press release
2. MMC ratified the reported collaboration
with Fiat ( by Financial
Times ) in the
production of 4WD vehicles and possible supply of GDI engines,
but denied capital alliance. --- June 5, Nikkei
3. MMC reinforces the relationship with
Proton ( Malaysian national motor company) by transfer of
production of some cast-iron engine component parts from its
Kyoto plant, targeting to be effective in 2002. MMC will import
Malaysian made these parts. --- June 8, press release
Daicel Chemical
starts local production of initiators for airbag inflators.
In
order to reduce cost, Daicel builds a new fab at Harima plant for
local production of importing initiators from the world largest
OEA of Colorado by February 2000. Planned capacity is 11 million
pieces a year. --- June 6, Nikkei
Daicel also plans to start
production of small size inflators for seatbelt pre-tensioners by
autumn 2000 at Harima. Planned annual capacity is 2.4 miilion
pieces. Targeted global market share of airbag inflarors is 20%
in the future. --- June
18, Nikkei Sangyo
Bando
Chemical invests to increase capacity of dry type CVT belts.
In order to meet customers,
Daihatsu and Suzuki, Bando invests for the 2nd line to double the
capacity of compound type plastic CVT belts. --- June 4, Nikkei Sangyo
The belts are jointly developed pull drive
type with Aichi-Kikai instead of push type metal belts of Van
Doorne.
Akebono, awarded
brake friction pads to Audi and VW.
Audi A6 and VW Passat will have Akebono Arras
s.a.(north France ) made friction pads by August this year,
assembled in Continental Teves disc brake modules. It is the 1st
contract with European automakers. Akebono Arras is the 1st plant
of Akebono operations in Europe, and has a technical center
capable for cooperation of development with European automakers'
programs.
--- May 31, Nikkei Sangyo
and Nikkan Jidosha
3-liter cars
launch in 1999.
Mitsubishi Motors disclosed that it has
succeeded the development of an super fuel economy car,
performing 33.3 km/liter ( 100 km/3-liter gasoline ), and plans
to launch it for domestic market in 1999 year. The car is
equipped with 1.0 - 1.3 liter gasoline GDI engine with automatic
engine cease/start system while stopping, instead of engine
idling. European automakers are also keen to
develop 3-liter fuel economy cars with small diesel engines or
hybrid motors. --- May 19, Asahi
President of Honda, Mr. H. Yoshino
disclosed that Honda would introduce a 3-liter fuel economy
hybrid car " VV" to domestic market in September this
year, and then extend sales to overseas market. Two-seater VV
will have one-liter gasoline engine for hybrid. --- May 20 ,Nikkei
Nissan is developing a 3-liter car with a
small direct injection diesel engine. It exhibited a prototype
hybrid car at the 1999 Automotive Engineering Exhibition during
May 19 to 21 at Yokohama, introducing the car could run 1000 km
practically per 50 liter of gasoline. It has a 1.8 liter gasoline
engine and an electric motor, combined with CVT. --- May 19, Nikkan Jidosha
US PNGV project is also targeting to
develop 80 mpg ( 102.4 km / 3-liter ) fuel economy concept cars,
and aiming to build prototype cars by 2004 year.
Denso
increases purchasing of Asian made raw materials.
--- May
19, Nikkei
Sumitomo
Seimitsu
(SPP)
establishes JV of angular-rate sensor with BAe. --- May 12, Press Release
Sumitomo
Electric (SEI)
developed
the world smallest ABS unit and started supply.
--- May issue of
Nikkei Mechanical
Stanley
developed ultra-thin 30mm depth headlamp.
--- April
27, Nikkei Sangyo
Bosch
consolidates brake system operations in Japan.
--- April 17, Zexel Press release
Nissan
collaborates with Renault.
--- March
27, Nissan
Press Release
Thanks
Back
to Home Page Business with Japan