Tokyo - Today Japan-based DENSO Corporation announced its motor sports sponsorship plan for the 2003 season. DENSO began to sponsor motor sports in Japan in 1971 and began global sponsorships in 1998.
"DENSO is pleased to be increasing name recognition and image through our motor sport sponsorships," said Morio Yamada, general manager, DENSO Corporate Communications. "We look forward to the 2003 season. It will be a great opportunity to showcase our technology and to connect to our many customers involved in the racing world."
The DENSO sponsorships include a variety of drivers, riders, races and teams.
DENSO also supplies Iridium Power spark plugs for DENSO-sponsored riders of Moto GP, European Championship and Motocross. The Iridium Power Spark Plug is the world's first spark plug that adopts an iridium alloy center electrode 0.4mm in diameter. The Iridium Power Series includes an Iridium Racing spark plug made specifically for racing.
DENSO will also donate spark plugs to Formula 1 (F1) Drivers Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta of the Panasonic Toyota Racing TF103 for the 2003 season.
"We're excited to have DENSO spark plugs including Iridium Power in racing," said Kenji Ohya, director in charge of Aftermarket Sales. "Since its launch in the market, Iridium Racing's high performance and exceptional quality has improved engine power for more competitive driving."
DENSO Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, DENSO employs worldwide 87,000 people in 31 countries, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 totaled 2,401.1 billion yen (US$18.1 billion)(*1). DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges in Japan. For more information see www.denso.co.jp/MOTORSPORTS.
*1:Figures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 include the effect of an irregular 15-month reporting period, due to 45 overseas subsidiaries and overseas affiliates changing their year-ends to March 31 from December 31.