TG North America and TRAM Sign Joint Venture Agreement

PLYMOUTH, Mich. and TROY, Mich., Sept. 2 -- On July 29, 2003 TG North America Corp. (the North American Headquarters of Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.) and TRAM, Inc. (the North American Headquarters of Tokai Rika Co. Ltd.) signed an agreement that officially opened their new TGR Technical Center located in Plymouth, Michigan. This joint venture now allows the two companies to provide full-service, in-house testing for automotive safety systems and components.

The signing took place at TRAM's Plymouth headquarters. The companies were represented by President Tsugio Kadowaki of TG North America and President Kenichi Kinoshita of TRAM. There are currently plans for a number of testing personnel from both companies to be located at the Technical Center in 2003.

"This expanded capability represents an exciting new era for Toyoda Gosei and Tokai Rika in North America. This new, state-of-the-art test facility will greatly expand TG's and TRAM's ability to test safety systems. The TGR Technical Center is the first facility in the United States to have installed a hydraulic sled system," said Tsugio Kadowaki, President, TG North America. "The new crash test facility will also incorporate the current testing and development capabilities for driver, passenger, knee and side/curtain airbag modules along with steering wheels and seat belts. This combined system capability will position Toyoda Gosei as a major global safety systems supplier in collaboration with Tokai Rika."

Toyoda Gosei, with headquarters in Aichi, Japan, and Troy, Michigan is a world-class supplier to the automotive industry. Toyoda Gosei's five product categories include: Body Sealing Systems, Interior / Exterior Systems, Optoelectronics, Fuel System / Functional Parts and Safety Systems. The TG Group employs over 12,000 people in 12 different countries located in 48 manufacturing, technical and sales facilities worldwide.

Tokai Rika, with a world headquarters in Aichi, Japan, is a world-class supplier to the automotive industry. Tokai Rika's four product categories include: Human-Machine-Interface Systems & Controls, Security Systems, Safety Systems and Electronic Appliances & Devices. The Tokai Rika Group employs over 12,000 people worldwide. This collaboration increases the number of Tokai Rika's worldwide manufacturing, technical and sales facilities to 42.