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Aisin Group Announces State of the Company, Technology Review at 2008 SAE World Congress

2007 was a ‘good year,’ says company president

PLYMOUTH, Mich., April 14, 2008 – Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), a worldwide supplier of automotive components, announced today its 2007 global and North American sales figures, updated facility information, and provided a review of technology on display at the 2008 SAE World Congress.

“By paying attention to what really matters – the customer – and by keeping our house in order, we find ourselves in a stable position as we face the challenges of 2008,” said Don Whitsitt, president, AWA. “We showed modest growth and held our own in 2007, despite difficult economic conditions.”

Sales, Employment Growth
Globally in 2007, Aisin recorded a total sales performance of just over $20 billion, representing an 11.6 percent increase over 2006. In North America in 2007, Aisin Group recorded a total sales performance of an estimated $3.7 billion, an increase of approximately 7.6 percent over 2006. Employment grew globally by 11.4 percent from 59,500 to just over 66,000. In North America, employment grew by approximately 9 percent to 9,789 associates.

New and Expanded Facilities
In 2007 and early 2008 the establishment or expansion of several facilities, and merger agreements in global regions outside the United States took place, including:

In North America, Aisin established several companies or expansions, with dedications taking place recently: Aisin Group at SAE World Congress
Aisin will also feature a variety of technologies from Aisin Group companies at the SAE World Congress. A number of technologies coincide with technical presentations being made by Aisin representatives. The technologies represented at World Congress give indication of the wide diversification of product that Aisin has developed.

Serving literally every major auto manufacturer worldwide, Aisin’s product offering has grown well beyond drivetrain components to include advanced technologies such as intelligent head restraints and navigation systems, to body components and roof systems. This diversification has provided growth opportunities through Aisin’s ability to meet the wide variety of technology needs of its global customer base.

Technologies featured at the Aisin Group exhibit include:

Aisin Group Quality
Aisin Group companies continue to surpass industry and customer quality standards. Within the last 1ast year, many Aisin Group companies have been recognized for quality achievements, including, but not limited to:

Aisin in the Community
Aisin also continues to express its commitment to community through its involvement in a variety of charitable and human service organizations, such at the American Heart Association; American Cancer Society; Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan; Boy Scouts of America; Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charity Preview; Girl Scouts of America; Purple Rose Theatre Company; Think Detroit PAL (formerly Detroit Police Athletic League); University of Michigan Solar Car Team; and South Bay YMCA, Torrance, Calif. Aisin representatives are board members of numerous charity and industry organizations, including the Automotive Hall of Fame, Original Equipment Suppliers Association, SAE Foundation and the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, a non-profit human services organization committed to developing the strengths and skills of the underserved community, predominately of Southwest Detroit, by providing quality programming and services for youth and adults.

About Aisin World Corp. of America
Based in Plymouth, Mich., AWA is a subsidiary of the Aisin Group, headed by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. with corporate offices in Kariya City, Aichi, Japan. The Aisin Group is a worldwide supplier of automotive components, such as brakes, transmissions, drive train, chassis, body and information-related systems and components, and engine-related parts. In North America, the Aisin Group has 28 manufacturing, R & D and sales centers, and approximately 10,000 employees.

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