5 May 2014

Farmington Hills, Michigan, May 5, 2014 --- Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., the regional headquarters for the Americas within Hitachi Automotive Systems’ global operations – today announced that Hitachi Automotive Systems Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (President: Takumi Shimaoka) has begun the construction of a new plant in Lerma City, Mexico to manufacture automotive systems.

Mexico continues to develop as a base for automotive manufacturing throughout the Americas, including Latin America. The numbers of foreign car maker factories are increasing. As a result, there are greater demands of localization to respond quickly to the community needs and to secure production capacity in Mexico for automotive equipment system manufacturers. Furthermore, due to NAFTA (Mexico, United States and Canada’s North American Free Trade Agreement) and the Economic Complementation Agreement (ACE) No 55 regarding the automotive sector between Mexico and the member countries of the MERCOSUR (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), there are tariff-free exports of automotive parts. This has led to enhanced introduction of automotive equipment system manufacturers into Mexico.

This new plant, 3rd for the Company and 5th for Hitachi Automotive Systems Group within Mexico, is being established to respond appropriately to support the production of vehicles in Mexico and to further strengthen the supply for the car makers throughout the Americas using the preferential trade agreement.

As a result of the establishment of the new plant, the Company will be securing approximately 180,000 square meters of land in Lerma City, Mexico. The Company will begin production of pistons for automotive parts as well as aluminum diecasts in May 2015. Further expansion of production is to be expected in the future.

Hitachi Automotive Systems will continue to work on establishing further expansion of the automotive equipment systems business in Mexico.

Overview of the new plant in Lerma, Mexico

NameHitachi Automotive Systems Mexico, S.A. de C.V. Plant 3
(As of April 2014, company name change from Unisia Mexicana S.A. de C.V.)
LocationLerma City, State of Mexico
ProductsPiston for automotive parts, aluminum diecast
(Planning for steady expansion of manufacturing)
Site AreaApproximately 180,000 m²
ProductionMay of 2015

Hitachi Automotive Systems Group in Mexico

NameHitachi Automotive Systems Mexico,
S.A. de C.V.
Hitachi Automotive Systems Queretaro, S.A. de C.V.Electrónica Clarion S.A. de C.V.
LocationLerma City, State of MexicoQueretaro City, State of QueretaroCorporate Office: Mexico City
Plant: San Juan Del Rio, State of Queretaro
RepresentativeTakumi ShimaokaShigetoshi NashimotoJoaquín Loose
Date of FoundationMarch of 1979July of 2012November of 1983
Main ProductsPlant 1: Pump, balancer, etc.
Plant 2: Ignition Coil, etc.
Plant 3: Piston, aluminum diecast
Suspension, brakes, etc.Car audio equipment,
Engine control unit, etc.
Number of employees
(as of March 2014)
Approximately 1,320Approximately 200Approximately 1,680

About Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., manufactures, remanufactures and markets a wide range of automotive systems including engine management systems, electric power train systems, drive control systems and car information systems for all major automotive original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers worldwide, providing leadership within Hitachi Automotive Systems’ global operations as the regional headquarters in the Americas. The company is headquartered in Farmington Hills, MI.

For more information, please visit www.hitachi-automotive.us.

About Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi America, Ltd. headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For more information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

About Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is engaged in the development, manufacture, sales and services of automotive components, transportation related components, industrial machines and systems, and offers a wide range of automotive systems including engine management systems, electric power train systems, drive control systems and car information systems. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi-automotive.co.jp/en/.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2012 (ended March 31, 2013) totaled 9,041 billion yen ($96.1 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional material & components, automotive systems and others.

For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

Press Contacts:

Craig Fisher
Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.
+1-859-734-6448