TRW and Kansei Corporation Sign Joint Venture

16 December 1998

TRW and Kansei Corporation Sign Joint Venture to Manufacture Automotive Electronics Components

    CLEVELAND--Dec. 16, 1998--TRW Inc. and Kansei Corporation today announced the formation of a joint venture to manufacture automotive electronics components.
    The companies will establish a manufacturing facility in the United States from which to supply subsidiaries of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. with automotive electronics, including air bag crash sensors. Start of production is planned for mid-2000.
    TRW, one of the largest independent automotive suppliers in the world, is a leading supplier of electronic safety, security, and convenience systems for the global automotive industry. Kansei, which is 29 percent owned by Nissan, provides wiring harnesses, electronics, instrument clusters, and interior and exterior trim products to the automaker.
    "This joint venture enables TRW and Kansei to combine their technological, manufacturing, and quality expertise to develop enhanced products," said Ronald D. Sugar, executive vice president and general manager of TRW Automotive Electronics Group.
    Koichi Takagi, president of Kansei Corporation, said, "We view this new relationship with TRW as strategically important in that it improves our competitiveness and strengthens our automotive electronics business globally."
    Kansei Corporation is a Japan-based company with headquarters in Omiya, Japan, and 1997 sales of nearly 110 billion yen. The company, which employs approximately 3,000 people in Japan, produces instrument panels and plastic components, instrument clusters, wiring harnesses, and electronic components, such as air bag controllers. The company has eight overseas operations.
    TRW is a U.S.-based company with headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, and 1997 sales of nearly $12 billion. The company, which employs approximately 80,000 people in 30 countries, provides advanced-technology products and services for the automotive, space, defense, and information technology markets. TRW's automotive product lines include occupant restraint systems, electronic security and convenience systems, switch and control systems, steering and suspension systems, fastening systems, and engine components. The company's worldwide automotive sales in 1997 were $7 billion. TRW news releases are available on the Internet through TRW's corporate Web site (www.trw.com).