Zexel

Zexel is a Japanese auto-components manufacturer. It was founded in 1939 as Diesel Kiki Co., Ltd., under a Bosch license, for domestic production of fuel-injection pumps for diesel engines.^[1] Originally established with an investment from Isuzu Motors Ltd., (a major Japanese manufacturer of engines for heavy-duty vehicles), this company was renamed ZEXEL Corp. in 1990.

The company was reorganized as Bosch Automotive Systems Corp. in 2000 after Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany bought majority shares in Zexel Corporation. Zexel is now a Bosch brand name.^[2]

Research and development

Since its inception as Diesel Kiki Ltd., the company developed many products that helped start the revolution of Japanese automotive excellence. Because of its big research and development capacity, it also participated in international fora on environmental protection projects like the reduction of ozone depleting substances, smoke emission, etc.

Ownership changes

Following the Bosch takeover, there was a series of ownership changes that resulted in the division of the major business groups: fuel injection pumps, automotive airconditioners, bus airconditioners and mobile refrigeration units, and the differential and airbag product lines. For example, M.C. Bernardo Inc. (the exclusive representative of Diesel Kiki/Zexel in the Philippines) had to turn over business to Robert Bosch Philippines, like other Zexel partners in other countries and regions.

Automotive airconditioners

Valeo of France bought the automotive airconditioner business^[3], and refocused manufacturing to support the European market. The shift in focus was the reason why Zexel Automotive Climate Control Systems (ZACCS) stopped its operations providing products, unit prototyping and after-market services to Isuzu, Nissan, Nissan Diesel and Columbian Motors (Kia assembler)in the Philippines.

Bus airconditioners and refrigeration

Thermo King bought into the bus airconditioner and refrigeration lines.

Differentials

The Torsen differential was purchased by Toyoda Machine Works Ltd. which eventually merged with another company to form JTEKT Torsen North America.^[4][5]

See also

• Pressure wave supercharger

References

1. ^ http://www.zexel.com/history.htm
2. ^ http://www.zexel.com/branding.htm
3. ^ http://www.vtsj.co.jp/english/pdf/20051101.pdf
4. ^ "The ONLY Official TORSEN Home Page!". Torsen.com. 2003-09-01. http://www.torsen.com/. Retrieved 2011-04-01. 
5. ^ "JTEKT CORPORATION - Company history". Jtekt.co.jp. http://www.jtekt.co.jp/e/company/history2.html. Retrieved 2011-04-01. 

External links

• http://ozone.unep.org/teap/Reports/TEAP_Reports/TEAP_2007_Legacy_Report.pdf
• http://ozone.unep.org/teap/Reports/TEAP_Reports/