Zexel
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In 1939 Diesel Kiki Co., Ltd. was founded under a Bosch license for domestic production of fuel-injection pumps for diesel engines. Originally established with an investment from Isuzu Motors Ltd., (a major Japanese manufacturer of engines for heavy-duty vehicles), this company was renamed ZEXEL Corp. in 1990 and reorganized as Bosch Automotive Systems Corp. in 2000.
The once biggest manufacturer of diesel fuel injection pumps in Japan and the second biggest in the world ceased to exist. What was a famous brand became an extension of the manufacturing facilities of Robert Bosch of Germany after the latter bought majority shares in Zexel Corporation.
This started a series of ownership changes that resulted to the division of the major business groups: fuel injection pumps, automotive airconditioners, bus airconditioners and mobile refrigeration units, and the differential and airbag product lines. For example, M.C. Bernardo Inc. (the exclusive representative of Diesel Kiki/Zexel on the Philippines) had to turn over business to Robert Bosch Philippines, like other Zexel partners in other countries and regions.
Valeo of France bought the automotive airconditioner business, and refocused manufacturing to support the European market. The shift in focus was the reason why Zexel Automotive Climate Control Systems (ZACCS) stopped its operations providing products, unit prototyping and after-market services to Isuzu, Nissan, Nissan Diesel and Columbian Motors (Kia assembler)in the Philippines.
Thermo King bought into the bus airconditioner and refrigeration lines. The Torsen differential was purchased by Toyoda Machine Works Ltd. which eventually merged with another company to form JTEK Torsen North America.
Since its inception as Diesel Kiki Ltd., the company developed many products that helped start the revolution of Japanese automotive excellence. Because of its big research and development capacity, it also participated in international fora on environmental protection projects like the reduction of ozone depleting substances, smoke emission, etc.
