TRW Inc. (NYSE: TRW) and Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) today announced a strategic alliance 
to market, sell, implement and integrate Hitachi's NXAUTO production control systems 
software to global automotive clients. NXAUTO is a real-time, manufacturing execution 
system (MES) package specializing in automotive plant process management that helps 
automotive manufacturers. 

TRW and Hitachi have partnered to maximize the benefits of using Hitachi's experience 
as a dedicated system supplier to the automotive industry and TRW's experience as 
a leading automotive supplier and systems integrator.  Under the terms of the alliance 
agreement,  TRW and Hitachi will jointly sell and market the NXAUTO software while 
TRW will be responsible for systems implementations and on-going maintenance support.  

NXAUTO is a proven product with many installations at major automotive plants in 
worldwide.  It is a remarkable product that improves automobile assembly line productivity, 
in these highly competitive times, by allowing plant to eliminate costly downtime problems 
before they occur.  This specialized software package has all the components for fast 
set-up and implementation. Then, as needs grow, additional elements can easily be 
incorporated because it is designed for flexible expandability. NXAUTO manages the vehicle 
information and track each vehicle on a real-time basis. It provides work instructions 
to the operators on the shop floor as well as the machines that are used in production. 
NXAUTO further provides necessary production information for the managers to aid in 
critical decision-making.

"We are excited about our partnership with Hitachi. Collectively, we will expand our 
commitment to the automotive industry by creating a more focused and agile organization 
that can lead the industry in automating plant process management," said Dick Albani, 
Vice President and General Manager of TRW's Manufacturing Management and Integration 
Solutions (MMIS) Unit.

 "The strong presence of TRW in the market combined with the Hitachi's rich experience 
definitely brings something to celebrate to our global customers.  This package provides 
a total solution at a reduced cost to cost customer through an efficient development 
process," said Kenichi Morita, General Manager, Information & Control Systems Division, 
Power & Industrial Systems, Hitachi, Ltd.