State of Tennessee Awards Top Honors For Pollution Prevention to Two DENSO Facilities

Maryville and Athens Manufacturing Locations Win with Voluntary Environmental Program

DETROIT, Dec. 11 -- DENSO's two East Tennessee automotive manufacturing facilities have been honored by the State of Tennessee for achieving Performer status, the top level of the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3).

To earn this distinction, DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. in Maryville and DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee, Inc. in Athens two years ago joined the voluntary environmental program, TP3, and completed five major environmental projects involving pollution prevention activities. In addition, both companies achieved in 1998 ISO 14001 (a voluntary environmental management system) certification.

  During the two-year state application period, the two companies jointly:
  *  Reduced water usage more than 8 million gallons;
  *  Reduced electrical usage by 1.4 million kilowatts per year;
  *  Diverted more than 2,770 tons of waste from local landfills, and
  *  Prevented the generation of 558 tons of pollution.

Tennessee Commissioner of Environment and Conservation Betsy Child said, DENSO has "demonstrated an aggressive approach to environmental responsibility and we're very pleased to recognize their leadership."

The TP3 Program, a network of businesses, organizations, industries, government agencies, schools and households, is sponsored by Tennessee's Department of Environment and Conservation. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life of all Tennesseans and to be stewards of the natural environment.

DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee President Neal Ozeki said both companies' workforces deserve the honor. "They have worked every day to keep DENSO's EcoVision 2005 in mind and to advance DENSO's management principles, which include 'environmental preservation and harmony with society.' "

DENSO's EcoVision, followed by DENSO companies worldwide, is a comprehensive program for minimizing the environmental impact of the company's products and operations and for commercializing environmental technologies in new products and services.

"As our Athens operations continue to expand, we reaffirm our commitment to protect the environment and to make important contributions to the well- being of East Tennessee," said DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee President Harvey Oita.

Japan-based DENSO Corporation, a leading global supplier of automotive technology, systems and components, employs 90,000 people in 31 countries and regions. Worldwide, all DENSO companies, with the exception of newly established facilities, have earned ISO 14001 certification. Global consolidated sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003 totaled US$19.4 billion. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges in Japan. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com .

In the Americas (North, Central and South America), DENSO employs 14,000 people at 32 companies with consolidated sales for the above fiscal year totaling US$4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.densocorp-na.com .