Yazaki Corporation Business Report FY ended Jun. 2009 - 2011
Business Highlights
Acquisitions
-In 2011 the Company announced that a final closure agreement was signed for the acquisition of the business of Cablelettra S.p.A, an Italian wire harness manufacturer. Yazaki Automotive Products Srl, a newly formed Italian subsidiary of Yazaki Corporation, will acquire a certain portion of Cablelettra's business in Italy, together with all the assets and operations of the Cablelettra's subsidiaries outside Italy (Poland, Tunisia, China and Brazil). With this transaction aiming at expanding its business opportunities in European and Brazilian market, of which targeted sales amount of EUR 200 million by 2013, it is expected to contribute to the expansion of Yazaki's global wiring harnesses operations. (From a press release on August 2, 2011)Joint Ventures
-In 2011, the Company announced that it has established a wiring harness manufacturing and sales JV in China with a Chinese automaker Geely Automobile and Geely's wiring harness supplier. The JV, capitalized at CNY 75 million (JPY 900 million), is headquartered in Cixi, Zhejiang. Yazaki Corp.'s 100% subsidiary Yazaki (China) Investment Corp. will hold 60% of the JV's shares, Geely Automobile's 100% subsidiary Ningbo Vision Automobile Parts and Components Co., Ltd. will hold 9% and Geely's wiring harness supplier will hold 31%. The new company will start manufacturing and supplying wiring harnesses to Geely Automobile from July 2012. The plant construction will commence at the end of this month. The company aims to hire 3,500 employees and to achieve sales of CNY one billion (approx. JPY 12 billion) by 2016. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on September 15, 2011)R&D
Product Development
Connector for quick chargers-In 2011, the Company is developing a new connector technology, which will improve the operability of quick chargers for EVs and PHVs. The Company has engineered an easy-to-handle connector, while ensuring the safety of the plug-in operations to connect the charger to the vehicle's power inlet. In addition, it has introduced a plastic connector housing, which reduces product weight without compromising on its strength level. The Company aims to start sales of the new connector in September 2012, planning to hold down its price lower than the existing products with the aim of expanding sales in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on December 5, 2011)
Stretchable curly cable for EV chargers
-In 2011, the Company developed a stretchable curly cable for EV chargers. As the curly shape has downsized the cable, it is easier to handle in storage and more user-friendly while charging. The Company aims to make it available to the market as a common charger cable in two to three years. With expected rapid dissemination of EVs based on the Japanese government's measures and policies, the Company aims to expand its EV related business, taking advantage of its current cable technologies. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on January 20, 2011)
Connectors for use in fast charging systems
-In 2009, the Company developed new connectors for use in fast charging systems for electric vehicles. The 500-volt quick chargers enable an electric vehicle battery to be recharged in approximately 20 minutes.
Aluminum electric wire
-In 2009, the Company revealed that it supplies the new Toyota "Prius" and the "Lexus LS Hybrid" with its new aluminum electric wire. The new product is "the 2 core shielded aluminum electric wire," a cable unifying two aluminum electric wires. Its weight is approx. half the two copper wires added. This new wire is mainly used for the underfloor. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on Oct. 23, 2009)