DENSO Develops World's First Belt-Driven Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) for Hybrid Vehicles

              New Product Enables Idle Stops for Energy Savings

    TOKYO, July 19 DENSO Corporation, parent company of
Southfield, Mich.-based DENSO International America, Inc., has announced that
the company, in a joint effort with Toyota Motor Corporation, has developed
the world's first belt-driven integrated starter generator (ISG) for hybrid
vehicles.  The new ISG is installed in the Toyota Estima hybrid car, currently
in production.
    The belt-driven ISG integrates the starter with the alternator allowing
the car's engine to turn off when it's not moving.  Then, the ISG instantly
restarts the car's engine when the car begins to move.  The idle stop function
decreases fuel consumption for energy savings.  Because the DENSO ISG is a
belt-driven feature, it allows for quieter operation than a gear-driven
starter.
    "We are proud to introduce the world's first belt-driven type ISG because
it is easy to install and saves the world's precious energy," said Kazuo
Matsumoto, managing director, Electric Systems Group.  "At DENSO, we will
continue to make technological advancements in our current ISG for hybrid
cars, as well as conventional starters and alternators, to protect the global
environment."
    DENSO Corporation, a global automotive supplier of advanced technology,
systems and components, employs 85,000 people in 27 countries and regions.
Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 totaled
US$16.2 billion.
    In North America, DENSO employs 13,000 people at 21 companies, including
DENSO International America, the company's North American headquarters.

                              ISG Specifications

    Voltage:                  216 V
    Maximum current:          140 A rms
    Output:                   Motor drive: 2.1 kW (546-1,200 rpm)
                              Regenerative braking: 6.2 kW (5,000-9,000 rpm)
    Revolutions:              15,000 rpm (maximum)
    Size:                     153.5 mm (diameter) x 214.0 mm (length)
    Weight:                   10.6 kg
    Driving:                  Belt-driven (pulley)
    Cooling:                  Water cooling (engine cooling water)