Magna Increases Presence in Japan With New Customer Support Center

Opening of new center coincides with activities across the region.

AURORA, Ontario, Oct. 23 -- Magna International Inc. announces the establishment of a new Customer Support Center in Tokyo to provide Japan-based OEMs with regional engineering and program management expertise, as well as easier access to the full resources of the Magna family of companies. The center offers expanded engineering and program management, including the addition of key personnel and CAD/CAM capabilities.

Belinda Stronach, Magna's President and Chief Executive Officer stated: "It's rewarding to see our global strategy of aligning with the needs of our customers paying off. We've realized significant achievements in North America and Europe over the years, and have been laying the foundation for success in Japan and Asia as well. Today we're pleased to be a well- positioned competitor in this market, close to our customers and leaning forward to innovate and anticipate future developments."

The Customer Support Center, located in the Kanda district of Tokyo, employs 30 to 40 engineers, program managers and sales representatives. Its opening coincides with several other Magna developments in Japan and Asia, which include facility and personnel expansions, an important new-vehicle launch, new business awards and strategic partnerships.

Expansions

In addition to the Customer Support Center in Tokyo, Magna will establish satellite locations in order to better support its customer base. Based on awarded business, the first satellite office is planned for Nagoya, in support of Toyota programs. Onsite engineering and program-management support is also currently in place with Honda in Tochigi.

New-vehicle launch

Starting in October 2003, Toyota will export the new Avensis from its assembly point in the UK to Japan. Magna takes great pride in its involvement, particularly for the high level of quality achieved in Toyota's UK facility. Intier Automotive, Magna's interiors company, manufactures the door panels for the vehicle, which has been accepted as an industry benchmark for interior quality, fit and finish.

New Business

Magna has recently secured several pieces of new business in Japan: an instrument panel with a major Japanese automaker for supply in Europe; breakthrough contracts based on ACTS (Advanced Car Technology Systems) engineering and testing capabilities -- complete vehicle homologation and the development of pedestrian protection systems for several Japanese OEMs; contracts to supply key engineering software via Magna Steyr operations to support Japanese OEM engineering, design and product development; contracts for the supply of various exterior decorative parts in North America and Europe; contracts for the supply of various powertrain and engine parts and components; contracts for the supply of mirrors with sophisticated electronics features; contracts to supply door systems (including window regulators, door modules and latching systems) for the North American operations of Japanese OEMs; contracts for stampings and related components.

Strategic Partnerships

Magna continues to expand its partnership strategy, which is focused on identifying partners that currently serve Asian automakers. These partnerships are based on the Magna provision of innovative and cost-effective new technologies to supplement the partner's business relationship and manufacturing capabilities with automakers in Japan. It allows both partners to support Asian automakers on a global basis. As recently announced, Magna/Intier has a relationship with Toyoda Gosei for the pursuit of innovative instrument panel technology in Japan and around the world. In addition, Magna/Decoma has been working with Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd. to pursue the global opportunity of designing, engineering and supplying plastic liftgates; Cosma has partnerships with Marujyun and Sango; and MKL is a joint venture between Magna and Calsonic Kansei.

Magna, the most diversified automotive supplier in the world, designs, develops and manufactures automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineers and assembles complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers of cars and light trucks in North America, Europe, Mexico, South America and Asia. Magna's products include: automotive interior and closure components, systems and modules through Intier Automotive Inc.; metal body systems, components, assemblies and modules through Cosma International; exterior and interior mirror and engineered glass systems through Magna Donnelly; fascias, front and rear end modules, plastic body panels, exterior trim components and systems, greenhouse and sealing systems, roof modules and lighting components through Decoma International Inc.; various engine, transmission and fueling systems and components through Tesma International Inc.; and a variety of drivetrain components and complete vehicle engineering and assembly through Magna Steyr.

Magna has approximately 71,000 automotive employees in 206 manufacturing operations and 47 product development and engineering centers in 22 countries.