Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault and Yasunobu Suzuki, President of NTN1, signed an agreement for a partnership between NTN and SNR Roulements2.

The partnership thus contracted will enable SNR to rely on one of the world's leading bearing manufacturers to secure its future growth. SNR Roulements will serve NTN as a strong leverage for its operations in Europe, where NTN plans to develop its sales, production and R&D This agreement allows NTN to acquire a 35 % equity stake in SNR Roulements, a wholly-owned Renault subsidiary. The stake will be ultimately raised to a majority stake.

Renault will provide SNR Roulements with its full support throughout the period required for the company to effectively integrate NTN.

(July 24, 2006)