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ANNOUNCEMENT of a New JATCO Manufacturing Facility in México JATCO Ltd (JATCO, Headquartered in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, President CEO: Hisayoshi Kojima, Capitalization: 29.9353 billion yen) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new company named "JATCO México, S.A. de C.V." to produce steel-belt Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) . JATCO will spend approximately 30 billion yen to produce CVTs.It is the first time that JATCO build up the manufacturing base overseas. JATCO already has a strong customer base in NAFTA region. Among NAFTA-produced and imported vehicles, over 1,000,000 vehicles/yr. are equipped with JATCO AT/CVTs. . Additionally, according to NISSAN 180, additional sales of more than 300,000 units/yr. are expected in NAFTA region. It is also said that other car manufacturers are planning to expand their sales in NAFTA . That is why growing demand for ATs and CVTs is expected in NAFTA. Under such circumstances, JATCO has decided to set up a new manufacturing base to meet the needs in NAFTA. The new Mexican plant will establish a North American manufacturing base toward JATCO's further growth and Globalization. Through the establishment of a new plant, JATCO is aiming at further expanding the sales of AT/CVTs in NAFTA, the largest AT/CVT market. At the initial stage of production, approximately 700 employees will work at the new JATCO facility. JATCO expects to begin producing steel-belt CVTs in 2005, and the initial production capacity will be around 300,000 units/yr. Future expansion of CVT demand is anticipated to increase the capacity to 700,000 units. JATCO began production of steel-belt CVTs in 1997 and became one of the largest volume producers of CVTs in the world. JATCO will capitalize on both its technical and manufacturing expertise in CVT through the launch of this new Mexican facility. Hisayoshi Kojima, JATCO's CEO, stated that JATCO has a strong customer base within NAFTA. Demand for ATs has been gradually shifting to the one for CVTs in NAFTA. As a significant technology to improve fuel economy, demand for CVT is expected to steadily increase, to meet new and stricter CAFE regulations. NAFTA region is a prime candidate to benefit from the typical +10% Fuel Saving capabilities of CVTs against 4-speed AT. CVT technologies provide larger fuel economy improvements, while remarkably improving driving performance and smoothness when compared to conventional step ratio automatics. Taking advantages of CVT technologies, JATCO expects to accelerate the Globalization of the company. Mr. Kojima also wanted to thank the Mexican Government and Nissan Mexicana for a variety of supports for the establishment of JATCO México, S.A. de C.V. CORPORATE OUTLINE of JATCO Ltd. JATCO is one of the world's leading AT/CVT manufacturers with accumulated production of more than 40 million units. Its main customers consist of 8 Japanese automakers, including Nissan & Mitsubishi Motors, and 18 overseas companies. It introduced the world's first mass-produced FWD steel-belt CVT for vehicles in the 2000 cc engine class in 1997 and 3500 cc high-power output engine class in 2002 as the first mass production cases in the world. The steel-belt CVT for 3500 cc high-power output engine class has received an exclusively high evaluation at the 2003 Initial Quality Study (IQS) in USA. JATCO also launched the innovative Toroidal type CVT, suitable for high-power output RWD vehicles in 1999, the first successful case in the world. In April 2003, JATCO has expanded its scope of operations by merging with Diamondmatic Co., Ltd., (a wholly owned subsidiary of JATCO since July 2002. Note: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation spun off it's AT/CVT operations and formed Diamondmatic in April 2002.) and is pursuing for further growth as a specialized AT/CVT manufacturer. Outline of JATCO's New Mexican Company
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