Aisin Technology Enhances Performance of GM ' New Variable Valve V6 Engine

DETROIT, May 27, 2003 -- Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA) today announced that it has started production and shipment of its Variable Valve Timing (VVT) System for General Motors' new 3.6L V6 engine to debut on the new 2004 model year Cadillac CTS in August, 2003. AWA President Junichi Nishimura said, "As a business partner of GM, AWA hopes to continue to further enhance GM's reputation in the market by providing high value-added technologies in the future."

VVT is a high tech system that provides the optimum control of valve opening and closing timing according to the engine revolution for the enhancement of engine performance and the improvement of fuel consumption.

"GM's new V6 engine will be praised by new CTS users due to its higher performance and better drivability," said Nishimura. "Our VVT technology improves engine performance by approximately 10 percent; fuel consumption by approximately 4.8 percent; and reduces NOx discharge by approximately 40 percent. The new GM V6 engine integrates not only our VVT, but also an electronically controlled throttle and new total control system, which can achieve a maximum output with minimum input engine."

The AISIN VVT is proving its reliability in various BMW, Volvo, Renault, and Ford vehicles worldwide and is expected to expand its total worldwide production volume up to five million units per year within the next five years. In the US, Aisin Automotive Casting (major aluminum die-casting and engine components facility) located in London, Kentucky, is producing the VVT with an expected production volume of 200,000 units in 2003, and is targeting 700,000 units per year by 2006.

"Our thin-vane type VVT achieves world leading compactness and low cost, and can offer the same design for both the intake and exhaust sides of the engine," said Nishimura. "We are planning to expand its application to other GM passenger cars and mini-vans by 2006. I expect that this engine component business will be another core business with GM in addition to Aisin's current transmission and body components businesses."

Aisin World Corp. of America, headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, is a subsidiary of Aisin Group headed by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., which has corporate offices in Kariya City, Aichi, Japan. The Aisin Group is a worldwide automotive system supplier of body, drivetrain, engine-related, brake and chassis and information-related components and systems. In North America, the Aisin Group has a total of 22 manufacturing, R&D and sales centers, more than 4,400 employees, and total sales of $1.1 billion in 2002.