PLYMOUTH, Mich., April 17, 2007 – Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA), a worldwide supplier of automotive components, today announced that it will host some 150 middle and high school students at the 2007 Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress tomorrow – Wednesday, April 18, at Cobo Center. The students are from the Cesar Chavez Middle School and International High School, both of Southwest Detroit and part of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC).

Aisin Group companies have a long history of supporting educational programs and other civic and charitable organizations in the communities in which its facilities are located, says Don Whitsitt, executive vice president, AWA.

“Aisin is emphatic about the importance of education, and will continue to do what it can to support our schools,” says Whitsitt. “As a leader in business, we have a responsibility to do what is right to support our communities and our children.”

DHDC students Wednesday will participate in hands-on activities provided by SAE’s “A World in Motion” program (AWIM), which is designed to increase interest in math and science in classrooms. The program makes learning fun and helps students discover the exciting application of science principles. It also shares information about rewarding careers in engineering and technical professions. Students will be divided into engineering teams and be given an assignment by the AWIM instructor. Teams will compete against each other for trophies and prizes.

Recently, about 75 students from Cesar Chavez Middle School visited Aisin’s North American headquarters in Plymouth. The half-day program was intended to demonstrate a positive work environment where professional people work individually, but come together as a team in the international automotive business. The students learned about manufacturing, testing, design and logistics, and about some of the cultural differences between companies in North America and Asia. The students were also given the opportunity to try a Japanese traditional sushi lunch.

“That may have been the most fun of all,” adds Whitsitt with a laugh. “I was impressed with their chopstick handling capabilities.”

Organizers of the Aisin visit say they hope that by reaching out to young people with positive messages, they will be encouraged to stay in school and consider a future in the automotive industry.

About Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC)
DHDC was established as a non-profit community organization in 1997 by Angela G. Reyes, executive director. Over the years, DHDC has developed a wide range of comprehensive, bilingual services that reach over 10,000 youth, adults and families per year. The mission of the DHDC is to empower communities by providing human services and community development projects primarily in Southwest Detroit, through collaborations that create opportunities for employment, education and healthy lifestyles. A goal of DHDC is to provide bilingual information and direct services to individuals through programs centered in the community. DHDC works together with the individual, the family, and the related institutions such as the school system, the judicial system and other organizations within the community.

About Aisin World Corp. of America (AWA)
Based in Plymouth, Mich., AWA is a subsidiary of the Aisin Group, headed by Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. with corporate offices in Kariya City, Aichi, Japan. The Aisin Group is a worldwide supplier of automotive components, such as brakes, transmissions, drive train, chassis, body and information-related systems and components, and engine-related parts. In North America, the Aisin Group has 28 manufacturing, R & D and sales centers, and approximately 9,000 employees.