Lighting components R&D centre

1 April 2002

Koito Manufacturing of Japan is to invest US$8m in a technical centre in Shanghai that will develop advanced automotive lighting components. Koito claims a 22 per cent share of the market in China but it wants to be able to respond quicker to consumer demands.

The centre will employ 100 designers and engineers, of whom 10 will be seconded from Japan. Koito's Shanghai manufacturing facility supplies the local Volkswagen and GM joint ventures.