BorgWarner One of Only Two Non-Japanese Suppliers to Earn Honda's Excellent Supplier Award

SENECA, S.C., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Improved manufacturing process capability for its InterActive Torque Management(TM) system on the Honda Pilot has earned BorgWarner an Excellent Supplier Award from Honda Research and Development, Tochigi, Japan. The company is one of only two non- Japanese suppliers to receive the distinction this year.

``BorgWarner was able to maintain the short development schedule, and achieved several manufacturing process improvements and design innovations over the course of our work together,'' said Mr. Tsuneo Tanai, Deputy General Manager of Honda Research and Development, Tochigi, Japan. Mr. Tanai presented the award on behalf of several Honda representatives from Japan who attended a ceremony today at BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems in Seneca, South Carolina.

``The Acura MDX, on which the BorgWarner ITM(TM) system was launched, received more industry accolades than any vehicle in recent memory,'' said Timothy M. Manganello, BorgWarner President and Chief Operating Officer. ``Since then, we have achieved manufacturing process improvements with this system that have enabled Honda to realize reductions in cost and capital investment on the new Pilot. We couldn't be more proud of our relationship with Honda, and are most grateful for this prestigious recognition.''

``I'm pleased to accept the Honda Excellent Supplier Award on behalf of the entire TorqTransfer Systems team,'' said Pete Kohler, Vice President of Operations at the Seneca facility. ``We are extremely proud of this recognition, and look forward to continuing to exceed the high expectations that have been set for us.'' The ITM systems for both the MDX and the Pilot are manufactured at the Seneca facility.

Suppliers are nominated annually by Honda for its Excellent Supplier Award in the categories of cost, development, quality, service parts and QCD global management. Fifty-four companies received the award this year, including ten suppliers who were recognized along with BorgWarner in the ``development'' category.