General Motors Honors Hitachi Automotive Systems Group as Corporation of the Year
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC, April 3, 2004 - General Motors Corp. named Hitachi Automotive Systems Group as its Corporation of the Year at the 12th annual Supplier of the Year celebration held Saturday in Prague. In addition to being named the 2003 Corporation of the Year, the company was recognized as a GM Supplier of the Year.
"In 2003, Hitachi Automotive Systems Groups developed an electronic throttle body with GM that is considered a benchmark within the industry. The product has 15 percent less mass, twice the durability as the original, and 20 percent lower cost. This kind of performance from Hitachi is helping GM be the best right now," said Bo Andersson, vice president of Worldwide Purchasing, Production Control & Logistics. "The company’s commitment to quality and cost savings performance and innovation in 2003 make it our Corporation of the Year winner."
Hitachi Automotive Systems Group is among 77 suppliers representing the global automotive community that were honored at this year’s celebration. It supplies GM facilities around the world with several products including starters and generators, mass air flow sensors and water pumps.
"We are deeply honored to be selected GM’s Corporation of the Year. This award holds special meaning to the employees of Hitachi Automotive," said Taiji Hasegawa , CEO of Hitachi Automotive Systems Group. "Technological innovation and leadership are important to Hitachi Automotive. As a supplier, our success directly impacts the ability of GM to deliver high-quality, desirable vehicles to consumers throughout the world."
The GM Supplier of the Year program began in 1992 and each year, a global team of purchasing, engineering, manufacturing and logistics executives determines the winners. Its decisions are based on supplier performance in the areas of quality, service, technology and price.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market. GM’s global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company’s corporate website at www.gm.com.