JATCO Business Report FY2007

Business Highlights

Contracts
-The Company announced that it has been providing the latest model of Nissan X-TRAIL, which was released on August 22, 2007, with its belt CVTs for medium FF vehicles. (From a press release on August 22, 2007)

-The Company announced that its 4-speed AT for mini/1-liter class FWD vehicles has been selected by Suzuki Motor for the new "PALETTE" released on January 24, 2008. (From a press release on Jan. 24, 2008)


Recent Developments in Japan
-The Company will convert its production facilities for step automatic transmissions (geared automatic transmissions), including 4-speed ATs, to the lines dedicated to production of CVTs.


Recent Developments Overseas
-The Company started building a new production facility in Guangzhou, China. 

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R&D

R&D Offices
Name Location
Head Office Fuji City, Shizuoka Pref.
Atsugi R&D Center Atsugi City, Kanagawa Pref.
Okazaki R&D Center Okazaki City, Aichi Pref.
Shin-Yokohama R&D Center Yokohama City, Kanagawa Pref.
Kyoto R&D Center Kyoto City, Kyoto


Product Development

-The Company announced that it has developed a new 7-speed automatic transmission (AT) for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicles. The new 7-speed AT comes in two variants, one with a high torque capacity and the other with a medium torque capacity, thus it can be applied to a wider range of vehicles. Compared to conventional AT, it supports powerful starting and acceleration performance while realizing both better fuel efficiency and quieter running operation in the high speed range by expanding the total gear ratio of both low and high gears. The Company launched the production of 7-speed ATs in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka, in February 2008 and the shipment for Nissan Motors is due to start in March 2008. The ATs supplied to the automaker are scheduled to be mounted in the "Infiniti EX37" and "Infiniti FX50" models. (From a press release on Mar. 5, 2008)

Investment Activities

Domestic Investments
-The Company will convert its production facilities for step automatic transmissions (geared automatic transmissions), including 4-speed ATs, to the lines dedicated to production of CVTs starting next fiscal year. Due to a great difference between CVTs and step ATs in terms of types and numbers of components, it was traditionally difficult to make such changeovers. The Company, however, has come up with new production technology to make the conversion possible by partially altering existing equipment and its layout, thus solving the problems. In 2009, the proportion of its CVT production is expected to reach 50% and the company, who is to supply over 2 million CVTs, is likely urged to enhance its capacity even further. The establishment of the new line conversion technology will allow the Company to improve its investment efficiency as well as competitiveness. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on Jan. 10, 2008)


Overseas Investments
-The Company announced that it has held a ground-breaking ceremony at its new plant site in Guangzhou, China. The new subsidiary is called JATCO (Guangzhou) Automatic Transmission Ltd. The group's second production facility outside Japan will start manufacturing continuously variable transmission (CVT) systems for use in front-engine, front-wheel-drive vehicles in the middle of 2009. Its annual production capacity is expected to reach 140,000 units with a workforce of some 300. CVTs manufactured at the Guangzhou facility will be installed in models including the Sylphy produced by Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on Nov. 29, 2007)