Increasing the Number of Lead-free Components - Company to reach target ahead of time -

Aug. 19, 2004

Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. is making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of lead in its vehicles. The company has already incorporated a number of lead-free components for the new Boon, a model released in Japan last June, and plans to promote the use of lead-free components in future mini-cars as well. The company will also make the switch to lead-free components in its existing models.

These measures will allow Daihatsu to reach its voluntary target for lead reduction established by the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc. (JAMA) earlier than scheduled. The lead reduction target is part of a Voluntary Action Plan created by JAMA to encourage companies to reduce the use of substances that are hazardous to the environment, such as lead and mercury. JAMA has called for car makers to reduce the lead content in vehicles released to the domestic market in (or after) January 2006 to 10 percent (or less) of 1996 levels. Accordingly, manufacturers are energetically developing and incorporating lead-free components in radiators, harnesses (wires), etc.

The lead-free components that Daihatsu is now introducing are mainly for use in fuel tanks and wheel weights (used for wheel balancing). The company has successfully eliminated the use of lead in its commercially produced fuel tanks without sacrificing rust-proofing performance or production efficiency.

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