SANYO Becomes First Wireless Handset Manufacturer to Receive J.D. Power and Associates Highest Ranking Three Times in a Row

SANYO Has Received the Highest Ranking for Overall Customer Satisfaction in 4 Out of the 5 Years Since J.D. Power and Associates Began Tracking the Mobile Phone Market

CHATSWORTH, Calif., May 25 -- Demonstrating its reputation for outstanding operation and superior features of wireless handsets among consumers, SANYO today received the highest overall score in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM) -- Volume 1*. SANYO is the first wireless manufacturer to earn this recognition three times in a row, tied in 2005. SANYO is also the only handset manufacturer to be ranked highest in the J.D. Power and Associates study four out of the five years the study has been conducted.

Released today, the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM) -- Volume 1 measures overall satisfaction among customers who have owned their mobile phones for less than two years. Far beyond a mere evaluation of brand loyalty, the study is based on performance in five key factors -- physical design, operation, features, handset durability, and battery function. SANYO scored higher than the industry average in all five categories with a significantly higher than average score in the segments most important to consumers: physical design, operation, and features.

Known as "The Voice of the Customer", J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information firm with an earned reputation for helping consumers make better purchasing decisions with its customer satisfaction research. Being recognized repeatedly with high rankings from J.D. Power and Associates demonstrates what differentiates SANYO from other manufacturers.

"Our goal is to make mobile phones that are easy to operate and that include features customers will love," said Andy Kodera, senior vice president and general manager of SANYO Fisher Company's Wireless Communications Division. "We have a true passion and dedication to delivering a great user experience. The fact that we have received the top customer satisfaction ranking from J.D. Power and Associates more times than any other manufacturer is the best evidence we have that customers view our handsets as well above average."

The operation of the mobile phones, for which SANYO ranked considerably higher than any other manufacturer, has increasingly become more important to consumers. The study indicated that as more services are added to the phone, the ability to navigate around the handset in an easy and straightforward manner becomes paramount. The study is based on responses from 18,740 households who have owned their mobile phone for less than two years.

SANYO is known for producing industry-leading handsets. SANYO was first in the U.S. to introduce a mobile phone with a color LCD display (SCP-5000) and the first to introduce a mobile phone with an embedded camera (SCP-5300). In 2001, SANYO introduced America's thinnest phone (SCP-6000). SANYO has also been at the forefront of supporting key technology initiatives from wireless carrier Sprint, including offering the very first mobile phone to support Sprint PCS Vision(SM) in 2002, the first two phones to support Sprint's Ready Link walkie-talkie service in 2003, and one of the first phones to operate on the Sprint Power Vision SM Network in 2005.

*SANYO received the highest numerical score among wireless users in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2004-2006 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study(SM). 2006 Study (Volume 1) based on responses from 18,740 consumer responses who have owned their current wireless phone for less than two years, measuring eight wireless handset manufacturers and measures opinions of consumers with their wireless handset. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2005 and February 2006 who have owned their current wireless phone for less than two years. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com/cc.

About SANYO

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. is a $20 billion manufacturer and distributor of consumer electronics and commercial equipment, including multimedia and telecommunication products. SANYO Fisher Company (a division of SANYO North America Corporation, a subsidiary of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.), based in Chatsworth, California markets PCS phones, audio systems, portable and mobile electronics, televisions, dictation devices, digital camera/camcorder combinations, home appliances, LCD projectors, security video equipment and air conditioning systems.

For more information, visit SANYO Wireless Communications online at www.sanyowireless.com.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Hi-res photos available upon request.