AKEBONO BRAKE ANNOUNCED AS OFFICIAL SUPPLIER TO VODAFONE
McLAREN MERCEDES
Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. (Akebono) and Vodafone
McLaren Mercedes are pleased to announce Akebono as an Official
Supplier of brake calipers and master cylinders.
To support Vodafone McLaren Mercedes as an Official Supplier,
Akebono established Akebono Advanced Engineering (UK) Ltd.
(AAE) in London in March 2007. AAE and McLaren Racing are
jointly developing and testing brake calipers and master cylinders
with the aim of raising technical capabilities in braking.
Hisataka Nobumoto, President & CEO of Akebono commented:
"When brakes are mentioned, people generally tend to
think of ‘stopping’ and ‘deceleration,’
while in fact brake systems are one of the most essential
components in vehicles, as they enable them to drive quickly
and handle smoothly in a safe manner."
"To achieve our long-standing goal of being brake experts,
we have challenged ourselves in various categories of motor
racing, as it is the optimal arena to develop superior brake
systems."
"The first automobile with an engine is said to have
been developed by Karl Benz in 1886. The first automobile
race called a Grand Prix took place in 1894 on a 130 kilometer
course between Paris and Rouen. But in the automotive industry’s
approximate 120-year-history, a race car equipped with a Japanese
brake system has never stood once on the Grand Prix victory
podium."
"At Akebono, we felt that to develop the ultimate brake
system, our only choice was to enter Formula 1 with the world’s
most prestigious and illustrious team, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
This desire led to the joint development and supply of brake
systems starting from the 2007 season."
"We previously believed it would take three years to
develop products that could stand on the victory podium. But
since we have been fortunate enough to work with the best
team and the best drivers in the world, not only have our
products stood on the podium—they have already claimed
victories. These Grand Prix wins with Japanese brake systems
represent a first in the 120-year history of the automotive
industry. There can indeed be no greater honour for us."
Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula One, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
added: "We are immensely proud of this partnership with
Akebono, who join our World Class group of partners and suppliers.
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes prides itself on forging technical
collaborations with the best organisations in the World by
integrating leading-edge technology into our race cars. Akebono
has proven its capability to deliver increased performance
and has contributed greatly to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’
Grand Prix wins this season so far. We are looking forward
to further developing technologies with a long-term relationship
with Akebono."
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