• Accelerated business development to support car manufacturers in commercializing automated driving and connected cars-

Tokyo, March 9, 2016 --- Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. today announced that the company is to establish a new Information & Safety Systems Division, effective April 1. This is in order to strengthen its business in autonomous driving systems and other advanced safety driving systems, for which the market is forecasted to expand going forward. The new division will be the company's fifth, joining the existing Powertrain & Electronic Control Systems, Engine Components, Drive Control Systems, and Aftermarket Divisions. Business expansion will be pursued by constructing advanced safety driving systems based on the cutting-edge products of existing divisions and Hitachi Group technologies as well as through promotion of the active proposal and sales of these products to auto manufacturers.

As we move toward the commercialization of automated driving and connected cars, the core technologies for next-generation vehicles will, in the future, progress from the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) to automated driving and autonomous driving systems. Reflecting these trends, the development and commercialization of information-driven cutting-edge technologies for advanced safety driving systems has become an important part of medium to long term business strategies.

Through the newly established Information & Safety Systems Division, Hitachi Automotive Systems will leverage its strength in electric drive products and integrated control technology through controllers and software. It will also combine these technologies with information and communications systems and other strongly established technologies belonging to Hitachi Ltd., Clarion Co., Ltd., and other members of the Hitachi Group. This will allow Hitachi Automotive Systems to build competitive superiority in the advanced safety driving systems business and stay ahead of its competitors in its business development.

The structure of the Information & Safety Systems Division will encompass a Global Business Planning Department, whose responsibilities will include business strategy formulation and presentation of solutions devised by systems engineers, alongside other departments including a Development & Design Division and System Quality Assurance Department. The division will have an initial staff strength of approximately 200, to be expanded going forward as required.

Through business development centered on the new Information & Safety Systems Division, Hitachi Automotive Systems will target further growth while addressing the social issues of traffic accident reduction, traffic congestion relief, and mobility support for elderly people. Through these efforts, Hitachi Automotive Systems is committed to continuously delivering new value toward the realization of an automobile society offering enhanced levels of safety and reassurance.