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BorgWarner Receives Nissan 2008 Global Innovation Award for Its Dual-Clutch Technology on the GT-R Sports Car


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AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 6, 2008 -- BorgWarner received a 2008 Global Innovation Award from Nissan in recognition of its innovative dual-clutch technology, used in the all-new 2008 Nissan GT-R. Launched in December in Japan and last month in the United States, the eagerly anticipated sports car is the first GT-R engineered for sale in global markets, the world's first longitudinal transaxle dual-clutch transmission, and the first Japanese transmission to feature BorgWarner's award-winning DualTronic(R) technology.

"It is an honor to receive this prestigious award from Nissan and a privilege to work on this exceptional driving machine," said Dr. Bernd Matthes, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. "BorgWarner is pleased to contribute to the efficiency, responsiveness and versatility of the GT-R."

To create the exhilarating experience drivers anticipate in a premier sports car, BorgWarner worked closely with Nissan and its affiliate, Aichi Kikai, designing the transmission to incorporate four BorgWarner advanced DualTronic(R) technologies including the dual-clutch module, clutch control module, shift actuation module, and synchronizer assemblies. BorgWarner manufactures these components at its facilities in Arnstadt, Germany; Tulle, France; and Margam, United Kingdom.

A leader in the globalization of dual-clutch transmission technology for ten years, BorgWarner's family of DualTronic(R) technologies combines the efficiency of a manual gearbox with the functionality of a fully automatic transmission, delivering seamless powerflow, improved fuel efficiency and a fun-to-drive experience. Customers include VW, Audi, Bugatti, SAIC, Nissan and Getrag dual-clutch transmission programs with five additional global automakers. In addition, BorgWarner is working on over 25 programs with transmission and vehicle makers around the world.

Supported by manufacturing capacity at its facilities in the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, China and Mexico, BorgWarner expects to quadruple production of its dual-clutch technology over the next six years to 2.5 million dual-clutch transmission applications per year at full-launch of announced programs.

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc. is a product leader in highly engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE 500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 64 locations in 17 countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler, Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com/ .