News

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (November 29, 2012) - Following a strong debut season as a sponsor with Team Penske in the IZOD IndyCar Series, Hitachi has announced that it is continuing its' partnership with the most successful team in the history of open-wheel racing in 2013.

Hitachi will serve as the primary sponsor for nine races - including two doubleheader race weekends - on the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet driven by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves in the 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series.

"Hitachi is a world-class company that proved to be a terrific partner for us this past season," said Roger Penske. "With the technical support Hitachi provides to Chevrolet in its IndyCar engine program, this relationship represents a winning formula on many levels."

In 2013, Hitachi will be the primary sponsor on the No. 3 machine driven by Castroneves in IndyCar Series races at St. Petersburg, Sao Paulo, Detroit (two races), Iowa, Pocono, Toronto (two races) and Sonoma.

"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to drive the Hitachi Team Penske car next season," said Castroneves, who will look to add to his 27 career IndyCar victories next season. "We will race in the Hitachi colors at some great events in 2013, including my hometown race in Brazil, and it will be awesome to have them on board with the team."

Hitachi joined Team Penske for the 2012 season and was the primary sponsor on the No. 2 Team Penske IndyCar for several races this past season, including its first victory in the sport as Ryan Briscoe captured the checkered flag at Sonoma.

"We're very excited to be back with Team Penske in 2013 and we look forward to working with Helio and the No. 3 car team," said Rob Sharpe, Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "This valued partnership provides the Hitachi Group with the opportunity to grow our brand globally with a well-respected team built on a tradition of winning and excellence. It also creates great business-to-business and customer networking opportunities at some of the world's premiere racing venues."

About Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company is engaged in the development, manufacture, sales and services of automotive components, transportation related components, industrial machines and systems, and offers a wide range of automotive systems including engine management systems, electric power train systems, drive control systems and car information systems. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi-automotive.co.jp/en/.

About Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.
Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., manufactures, remanufactures and markets a wide range of automotive systems including engine management systems, electric power train systems, drive control systems and car information systems for all major automotive original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers worldwide, providing leadership within Hitachi Automotive Systems' global operations as the regional headquarters in the Americas. The company is headquartered in Harrodsburg, KY. For more information, please visit www.hitachi-automotive.us.

About Hitachi America, Ltd.
Hitachi America, Ltd., headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For more information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

About Penske Racing
Penske Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 364 major race wins, 423 pole positions and 24 National Championships, including the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. The team has also earned 15 Indianapolis 500 victories and 165 IndyCar wins. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit www.penskeracing.com.