Business overview

-Denso Corporation announced that it will relocate and expand its development facilities in China by 2013. The Company will construct its own development facilities in Shanghai, introduce large-scale evaluation equipment including a wind tunnel, and increase the number of staff threefold to 500 by 2015. 7.2 billion yen was invested into the renovated technical center which was scheduled to begin operations in June 2013. The Company has responded to the local development needs of Japanese automakers on leased properties in Shanghai. By relocating, the Company hopes to provide extended service to Japanese car manufacturers as well as support the development activities of local automakers. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on April 11, 2012)

-In China, the Company is bolstering sales activities that target local manufacturers by developing low-cost products. The Company will reinforce the activities of its technical center in Shanghai to meet anticipated demand for energy-efficient vehicles and vehicles powered by new energy sources. Demand for such vehicles is expected to increase due to new environmental regulations.

Information and Communication

Auto China 2012 in Beijing

-On April 14, 2012, the Company announced its exhibition plans for Auto China 2012 in Beijing. Its main exhibit was the Synchronized Concept, a cockpit simulator that allowed visitors to experience next-generation vehicle safety technology and entertainment systems using cutting-edge information communication systems. The cockpit featured functions such as a driver drowsiness detection system which connected to the car navigation system display to show nearby rest areas. Another function displayed at the exhibit was a cluster design select system, which allowed a driver to choose his or her favorite design through the Internet. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on April 14, 2012)

R&D Facility

Expand Shanghai Technical Center

-Denso Corporation announced that it will relocate and expand its development facilities in China by 2013. The Company will construct its own development facilities in Shanghai, introduce large-scale evaluation equipment including a wind tunnel, and increase the number of staff threefold to 500 by 2015. 7.2 billion yen was invested into the renovated technical center which was scheduled to begin operations in June 2013. The Company has responded to the local development needs of Japanese automakers on leased properties in Shanghai. By relocating, the Company hopes to provide extended service to Japanese car manufacturers as well as support the development activities of local automakers. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on April 11, 2012)

V2X technology testing

-The Company, in collaboration with Tongji University, began testing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology on public roads in Taicang, Jiangsu Province in March 2012. Though the Company had conducted field tests in Japan, the US, and Europe for the past several years, this was the Company's first field test of the V2X technology in China. V2X technology can be used to wirelessly communicate the position and speed of emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, to surrounding vehicles and roadside infrastructure. As an emergency vehicle approaches, V2X technology will change traffic lights at intersections and alert surrounding vehicles to switch lanes. The purpose of the field tests is to evaluate the technology's ability to prevent traffic accidents while allowing emergency vehicles to travel freely during an emergency. (From a press release on March 13, 2012)