---

Yazaki North America, Inc. to Use Lead-Free Wire In All Automotive Products

10 May 1999

Yazaki North America, Inc. to Use Lead-Free Wire In All Automotive Products

    CANTON, Mich., May 10 -- Yazaki North America, Inc., a
leading electronic parts and technology supplier to the automotive industry,
announced today that all wire produced by the company for the automotive
sector will be free of lead and other heavy metals beginning with the 2000
model year.  Yazaki Corporation will incorporate the use of lead-free wire as
a global standard for wire used in all its products.  The move corresponds
with the direction of European automotive manufacturers who are becoming more
responsive to environmental issues.
    "This change emphasizes Yazaki's continuing dedication to improving the
environmental compatibility of its products, as well as our customer's
interest in being environmentally responsible," said Ray Ernst, research and
development engineering manager in Yazaki North America's Advanced Technology
Group.
    Changing to lead-free wire also will make it more cost effective to
dispose of scrap.  This cost savings offsets the slight cost increase of the
lead-free PVC material, allowing Yazaki to make the switch at no cost to its
customers.  Yazaki manufactures 394,917 miles of automotive wire each month,
or 21 miles every minute.
    Yazaki North America is a global leader in the development and
manufacturing of wiring harnesses, junction blocks, modules, electronics and
advanced technology for the automotive industry.  Worldwide the company
employs more than 100,000 people, 1,500 of whom are based in the company's new
corporate headquarters and research center in Canton, Mich.