Autoliv investing in Japan to optimize footprint for future growth

(Stockholm, Sweden, November 12, 2021) – Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, today announced the launch of a Japan footprint optimization plan, including the establishment of a new state of the art production facility in central Japan and phasing out two existing plants. The investment demonstrates Autoliv’s commitment to its customers and to the Japanese market.

Supported by Autoliv’s strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities in Japan, we have gained a leading position with Japanese car manufactures across the world. In 2020, the Japanese market accounted for 10% of Autoliv’s global sales. Globally, Japanese customers accounted for 30% of our total sales in 2020. Currently, Autoliv has no production facility in central Japan, although this is where 40% of vehicles in Japan are produced.

Autoliv committed to our customers and to the Japanese market

“Autoliv Japan has been successful for over 30 years through a strong local sales, engineering, and manufacturing presence. With this footprint optimization we will further strengthen our local support and proximity to our customers in Japan”, says Colin Naughton, President Autoliv Asia.

The new facility will be centrally located, supporting the optimization of the Autoliv Japan footprint and business. When the new facility is completed, Autoliv will have three manufacturing plants in Japan, one in the east, one in the west and one in the central area of the country, closely aligned with car manufacturers’ footprint in Japan. Two existing manufacturing facilities will be phased out.

Achieving sustainability goals through efficient operations

The new state of the art facility in central Japan will showcase Autoliv’s manufacturing capability utilizing Manufacturing 4.0 concepts. The greenfield site will be a flagship site that allows Autoliv to further accelerate upgrades to our other facilities in Japan and Asia. The new plant will help Autoliv in achieving its sustainability goals through efficient operations and reduced delivery miles to the customers.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Japanese market and to our customers. With this footprint we will be well aligned for strengthening our local presence and growth opportunities with our global Japanese customers”, said Colin Naughton, President Autoliv Asia.

The new production facility will go live latest by Q3 2023 with the phasing out of two facilities by the end of 2023.

Inquiries: 

Media: Gabriella Ekelund, Tel +46 (70) 612 64 24
Investors & Analysts: Anders Trapp, Tel +46 (0)8 587 206 71
Investors & Analysts: Henrik Kaar, Tel +46 (0)8 587 206 14

About Autoliv

Autoliv, Inc. is the worldwide leader in vehicle safety systems, and through our subsidiaries we develop, manufacture and market protective systems, such as airbags, seatbelts, steering wheels and pedestrian protection systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. In 2020, our products saved 33,000 lives and prevented ten times as many severe injuries.

Our more than 68,000 associates in 27 countries are passionate about our vision of Saving More Lives and quality is at the heart of everything we do. We have 14 technical centers, with 20 test tracks. Sales in 2020 amounted to US $ 7,447 million. The shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and the Swedish Depository Receipts on Nasdaq Stockholm (ALIV sdb). For more information go to www.autoliv.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This report contains statements that are not historical facts but rather forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those that address activities, events or developments that Autoliv, Inc. or its management believes or anticipates may occur in the future. All forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, various assumptions and data available from third parties. Our expectations and assumptions are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize or prove to be correct as forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements, including general economic conditions and fluctuations in the global automotive market. For any forward-looking statements contained in this or any other document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we assume no obligation to update publicly or revise any such statements in light of new information or future events, except as required by law.