Yazaki North America Announces Return to SAE World Congress

CANTON, Mich., Oct. 22, 2002 -- Yazaki North America, Inc. (Yazaki), a leading supplier of vehicle power and data solutions to the automotive industry, will return to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress and Exposition in 2003 as an exhibitor, George R. Perry, president and CEO of Yazaki North America, Inc., announced today.

In January 2000, Yazaki withdrew from participation in the SAE World Congress exhibition. Yazaki's withdrawal was precipitated by a close examination of industry conditions and the value that the Congress provided to the company. "When we left, we nonetheless committed to working with SAE to address our concerns and ways to improve the show," said Perry.

"In keeping with Yazaki's role as an industry leader, we worked closely with the SAE staff, both formally through direct committee participation and informally as a result of our established relationships with SAE, to provide them with constructive input and feedback to facilitate the process of reinventing the Congress," said Perry. "If you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the problem. We made ourselves an integral part of the solution. SAE listened and responded by implementing several enhancements that exceeded our expectations."

New for 2003, the Congress will focus on five core technology areas. Each technology will be represented on the show floor as a "technology pavilion" featuring leading industry suppliers. Yazaki will have a key location within the Electronics and Software Engineering Pavilion. Also new for 2003 will be several OEM vehicle displays showcasing advanced technologies and the OEM's recommitment to the SAE World Congress.

"Yazaki is demonstrating its appreciation for the enhancements to the SAE World Congress by returning, and will continue supporting efforts for continuous improvement," said Perry.

"It is very exciting that a company of the stature, technological significance and industry impact of Yazaki is going to play such an expanded role in the 2003 World Congress," said Neil Schilke, SAE spokesman and immediate past-president. "We believe Yazaki's recommitment and expanded involvement in 2003 will further enhance the interaction and impact on the industry that is the purpose and the magic of the Congress."