12 Major Companies in the Japanese Automotive Parts Industry: Pioneering the Future with Technological Innovation

The Japanese automotive industry is supported by the existence of parts manufacturers with advanced technological capabilities. This article carefully selects 12 companies from the world-leading Japanese automotive parts industry, providing a thorough explanation of each company’s business activities, strengths, achievements, and future outlook.

DENSO is a core company of the Toyota Group and is known as one of the world’s leading automotive parts manufacturers. It supports the automotive industry in a wide range of fields, including powertrains, thermal systems, and information and communication systems. Founded in 1949 as Nippon Denso Co., Ltd., it later changed its name to DENSO. As a member of the Toyota Group, it operates globally and is headquartered in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture.

DENSO’s strengths are its wide range of products, including powertrain systems, thermal systems, information and communication systems, and electronic control systems. In particular, it demonstrates strengths in the development of parts for hybrid and electric vehicles, leading the industry with its high technological capabilities and quality control capabilities.

It has a track record of supplying parts to automakers around the world, and its car air conditioners and engine control systems boast a world-leading share. In the field of electrification, it is focusing on the development of inverters and motors for electric vehicles. It is also focusing on software development.

To respond to the transformation of the automotive industry called CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric), it is focusing on the development of technologies such as AI, autonomous driving, and connected cars. It is also actively promoting initiatives to reduce environmental impact. It is expected to support the development of the automotive industry with its wide range of products and high technological capabilities, respond to the transformation called CASE, and contribute to creating new value.

AISIN is a major automotive parts manufacturer within the Toyota Group and has strengths in drivetrain parts. Founded in 1969 as Aichi Kogyo Co., Ltd., it subsequently merged with Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd., etc., in 2021 to become the current AISIN. It is headquartered in Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture.

AISIN’s strengths are drivetrain parts, including automatic transmissions, brake systems, and engine-related parts. It is supported by automakers around the world for its high quality and reliability, and in recent years has also focused on the development of electrification-related parts.

Its automatic transmissions have been used in many car models, supplying parts to automakers around the world and contributing to the development of the automotive industry.

To respond to the transformation of the automotive industry such as electrification and autonomous driving, it is focusing on the development of electric drive units and autonomous driving systems. In electrification-related parts, it is focusing on the development of eAxle (electric drive units). It is expected to support the development of the automotive industry with its high quality and reliability, respond to the transformation of the automotive industry, and contribute to creating new value.

JTEKT is a company that handles a wide range of parts related to the basic performance of automobiles, such as steering, drive, and bearings. It was established in 2006 through the merger of Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. and Toyoda Koki Co., Ltd. It handles steering, drive, bearings, and machine tools.

JTEKT’s strength is that it handles a wide range of parts related to the basic performance of automobiles, such as steering, drive, bearings, and machine tools. In particular, its electric power steering (EPS) boasts the world’s top share.

It has contributed to improving the basic performance of automobiles, and EPS has been used in many car models, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and driving support.

It is promoting product development to respond to the evolution of autonomous driving technology and technology development that contributes to weight reduction and higher efficiency. It is an important company that supports the basic performance of automobiles and is expected to contribute to the evolution of autonomous driving technology.

Mitsubishi Electric is a comprehensive electric machinery manufacturer that operates a wide range of businesses, from heavy electrical machinery to home appliances. In the automotive field, it has strengths in car electronics. Founded in 1921 as Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Electric Works, it operates a wide range of businesses, from heavy electrical machinery to home appliances.

Mitsubishi Electric’s strengths are in the field of electrical and electronic equipment, including car electronics, car navigation, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), and on-board chargers. ADAS-related technologies are expected to be applied to autonomous driving technology.

Car navigation systems and ADAS-related technologies have been adopted by many automakers.

It is promoting the development of autonomous driving technology and electrification technology and is also focusing on the development of connected car-related technologies. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry in the field of electrical and electronic equipment and contribute to the development of autonomous driving technology and electrification technology.

Panasonic Automotive Systems is a company that has a presence in the fields of in-vehicle infotainment systems and batteries. As an in-house company of Panasonic Corporation, it develops automotive-related businesses.

Panasonic Automotive Systems’ strengths are in the fields of in-vehicle infotainment systems and batteries, including car navigation, audio, batteries, in-vehicle cameras, and sensors. In particular, its in-vehicle batteries have greatly contributed to the spread of electric vehicles.

Its in-vehicle batteries have been adopted by many electric vehicles, and its in-vehicle infotainment systems have also been adopted by many automakers.

It is promoting the development of battery technology that supports the spread of electric vehicles and the development of technologies that support connected cars and autonomous driving. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its in-vehicle infotainment systems and battery technology and contribute to the spread of electric vehicles and the evolution of automobiles.

Bridgestone is the world’s largest tire manufacturer and manufactures not only tires for automobiles but also automotive parts such as vibration-damping rubber. Founded in 1931, it is the world’s largest tire manufacturer.

Bridgestone’s strength is that it manufactures not only tires for automobiles but also automotive parts such as vibration-damping rubber. It is developing a diversified business utilizing its high technological capabilities related to rubber, not just tires.

Its tires are installed as original equipment by many automakers, and it also supplies tires to motorsports, contributing to improving its technological capabilities.

In addition to improving tire performance, it is promoting the development of tires with excellent environmental performance and the development of solution businesses centered on tires. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its tire and rubber technology and develop tires with excellent environmental performance and solution businesses.

Yokohama Rubber is known as a tire manufacturer, but it also handles industrial products such as hoses and sealing materials, contributing to the automotive field. Founded in 1917, it is known as a tire manufacturer.

Yokohama Rubber’s strength is that it handles not only tires but also industrial products such as hoses and sealing materials. It also handles parts for aircraft and is characterized by high technological capabilities.

Its tires are used by many automakers, and its industrial products are also used in various parts of automobiles.

In addition to improving tire performance, it is promoting the development of tires with excellent environmental performance and is also promoting the development of high-performance products in the industrial product field. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its tires and industrial products and develop high-performance products.

NSK Ltd. is a comprehensive bearing manufacturer that supplies bearings used in various parts of automobiles. Founded in 1916, it is a comprehensive bearing manufacturer.

NSK Ltd.’s strength is that it supplies bearings used in various parts of automobiles. Bearings are important parts that reduce friction and also contribute to improving fuel efficiency.

Bearings are used in various parts of automobiles, contributing to improving vehicle performance with bearing technology.

It is promoting the development of high-performance, smaller, and lighter bearings and is also promoting product development that supports electrification and autonomous driving. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its bearing technology and achieve high performance, miniaturization, weight reduction, and support for electrification and autonomous driving.

Bosch is the world’s largest automotive parts manufacturer and provides a wide range of products in Japan. Founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch, it is the world’s largest automotive parts manufacturer. Its headquarters is in Gerlingen, Germany.

Bosch’s strength is that it demonstrates its technological capabilities in a wide range of fields, including powertrains, chassis systems, car electronics, and power tools. In particular, it demonstrates strengths in safety technologies (ABS, ESP, etc.) and environmental technologies (fuel injection systems, etc.), and in recent years has focused on autonomous driving, connected cars, and electrification technologies.

Safety technologies such as ABS and ESP have been adopted by many car models, contributing to reducing traffic accidents, and it supplies parts to automakers around the world.

It is focusing on fields such as autonomous driving, connected cars, and electrification, leading the transformation of the automotive industry, and is also focusing on software development, aiming to evolve into a mobility solution provider. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its wide range of products and high technological capabilities, developing safety technologies, environmental technologies, and future mobility technologies.

Continental is a global supplier that manufactures various automobile parts, including tires, brakes, and electronic control systems. Founded in 1871 as a rubber product manufacturer, it subsequently advanced into tire manufacturing and grew into an automotive parts manufacturer. Its headquarters is in Hanover, Germany.

Continental’s strengths are its wide range of products, including tires, brake systems, electronic control systems, and interior parts. In particular, it demonstrates strengths in tire technology, brake technology, and in recent years, autonomous driving technology and connected car technology.

Its tires are installed as original equipment by many car models, and its brake systems and electronic control systems are also adopted by many automakers.

It is focusing on fields such as electrification, autonomous driving, and connected cars, leading the transformation of the automotive industry. It is also focusing on software development, aiming to evolve into a mobility solution provider. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its wide range of products and high technological capabilities, especially developing future mobility technologies.

Magna International is a global supplier with a wide range of products, including body, powertrain, and interior/exterior components. It is headquartered in Canada/Austria. It has a wide range of products, including body, powertrain, and interior/exterior components.

Magna’s strengths are its wide range of products, including body, powertrain, and interior/exterior components. In particular, it demonstrates strengths in metal pressing technology, resin molding technology, and in recent years, electrification-related technologies.

It supplies parts to many automakers and also undertakes contract manufacturing of complete vehicles, conducting a wide range of business activities.

It is focusing on fields such as electrification and autonomous driving, responding to the transformation of the automotive industry, and also aiming to evolve into a mobility solution provider. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its wide range of products, high technological capabilities, and wide range of business activities, contributing to the future mobility society.

ZF is a company with strengths in powertrain and chassis technology, including transmissions, chassis, and active & passive safety technologies. It is a global supplier headquartered in Germany. It has strengths in transmissions, chassis, and active & passive safety technologies.

ZF’s strengths are powertrain and chassis technology, including transmissions, chassis, and active & passive safety technologies. In particular, it demonstrates strengths in automatic transmissions, electric drive systems, and safety systems.

It supplies transmissions and chassis systems to many automakers and also provides technology to motorsports, contributing to improving its technological capabilities.

It is focusing on fields such as electrification and autonomous driving, responding to the transformation of the automotive industry, and promoting the development of next-generation mobility technologies. It is expected to contribute to the automotive industry with its powertrain and chassis technology, especially developing future mobility technologies.

The Japanese automotive parts industry leads the world with its advanced technological capabilities and quality control capabilities. The 12 companies introduced this time are making significant contributions to the evolution of automobiles by utilizing their respective strengths. In the transformative period of the automotive industry called CASE, these companies are expected to promote technological innovation in fields such as electrification, autonomous driving, and connected cars, creating the future mobility society. We will continue to keep a close eye on the trends of the Japanese automotive parts industry.