Mitsubishi Electric's
Auto Parts Division Gains QS9000 Certification

Tokyo, September 16, 1997 -- All offices and factories of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation doing business with the Big Three U.S. automakers have now acquired QS9000 certification. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation manufactures and sells a variety of electrical equipment, including alternators, starters, fuel injection systems, and car audio equipment, to the Big Three automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler). All of production and sales facilities recently acquired QS9000 certification, denoting a quality control system developed by the Big Three based on ISO9001. Winning this certification marks the final step in the establishment of a consistent quality control system covering everything from development, design, production, and sales at all places of business dealing with the Big Three. The certifying body is BVQI (Bureau Veritas Quality International (NA) Inc.). Dates of certification range from October 4, 1996 to June 25, 1997. Mitsubishi Electric also simultaneously acquired ISO9001 certification.

Certified facilities are as follows: MELCO's factories in Japan responsible for the development, design, and production of automobile parts, namely, Himeji Works for alternators, starters, and other electrical equipment, and Mita Works for car audio and car navigation systems; as well as the Mason and Maysville plants and the Detroit office of Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Inc. (MEAA), which together are responsible for the production and distribution of automobile electrical equipment and car audio equipment in the United States.

Details of QS9000 Certification

Business bases that acquired certification		Products covered	Dates of certification
Japan	Mitsubishi Electric's Himeji Works (Hyogo Prefecture)	Alternators, starters, ignition coils, electronic engine control systems, sensors, actuators	October 4, 1996
	Mitsubishi Electric's Mita Works (Hyogo Prefecture)	Car audio equipment, car navigation systems, electronic control modules, sensors, valves, actuators, electronic accessories	April 3, 1997
United States	MEAA's Mason Plant	Alternators, starters	October 4, 1996
	MEAA's Maysville Plant	Car audio equipment, electronic control units	April 25, 1997
	MEAA's Detroit office	Alternators, starters	November 17, 1997
		Car audio equipment, electronic control units	June 25, 1997

At the time that certification was acquired, Mitsubishi Electric's operations in the United States were: Mitsubishi Electric Manufacturing Cincinnati Inc. (the Mason and Maysville plants) and Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc. (the Detroit office). These three facilities were consolidated in July 1997 with the formation of Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America Inc. (MEAA).