Japan's NTN Develops Drivetrain Part for Low-cost Cars

Japan's NTN Develops Drivetrain Part for Low-cost Cars NTN Corp. (TSE:6472) has developed an automobile drivetrain component, costing 20 per cent less to manufacture than conventional drivetrain components, as it targets growing demand for inexpensive cars in developing nations and elsewhere. The major bearing manufacturer plans to offer the new product to domestic as well as foreign automakers, including Toyota Motor Corp. (TSE:7203), aiming to rack up sales of about 12 billion yen (US$102 million) in fiscal year 2011. The constant-velocity joint is used to smooth the transmission of power from the engine to the wheels. NTN managed to slash production costs by developing advanced forging technologies and simplifying lathe processing. While the new product has the same strength as conventional models, it is said to have a slightly lower ability to absorb vibration. The part is aimed at low-cost vehicles priced at less than 1 million yen that Toyota, Nissan Motor Co. (TSE:7201), France's Renault SA and other automakers plan to launch around 2010 in Japan and the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India and China. According to NTN's estimates, GKN Plc of the U.K. is the world's leader in the market for constant-velocity joints, with a roughly 40 per cent share, followed by NTN, with about 20 per cent.