Tokyo - DENSO Corporation recently expanded the testing facility for car air conditioners at DENSO AUTOMOTIVE Deutschland GmbH (DNDE), adding a materials evaluation component into the expanded laboratory. Established with an investment of approximately 15 million euro, the new building has a gross floor area of 5,100 square meters.

DNDE has also introduced a materials evaluation component to allow for more local content, lower materials costs and the enhancement of quality assurance activities within the European Union’s borders. DENSO now provides materials evaluation in four regions: Japan, the United States, Europe and Asia. This enables DENSO to promptly obtain materials local to each region of appropriate specifications and quality to match client needs. DENSO promotes the most efficient procurement and manufacturing process worldwide.

DNDE built the original testing facility in 1994. This expansion provides DNDE with the ability to assess the performance of air conditioners installed in vehicles. DNDE plans to promote local development of car air conditioners for European customers.

In 2001, DENSO purchased the climate control product division of MAGNETI MARELLI S.p.A., renaming it DENSO THERMAL SYSTEMS S.p.A. At the end of 2003, DENSO Manufacturing Czech s.r.o. will begin manufacturing car air conditioners to expand DENSO’s production in Europe.

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Its customers include all the world’s major carmakers. Worldwide, the company employs 90,000 people in 31 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003 totaled US$ 19.4 billion. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges.

Company Profile of DENSO AUTOMOTIVE Deutschland GmbH