Hitachi Launches Motorsports Microsite and Announces “Cheer for Gear” Sweepstakes in Conjunction with its New Global Brand Campaign

20 June 2013

Sweepstakes Celebrates Hitachi’s Sponsorship of Penske Racing and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Current IZOD IndyCar Series Championship Points Leader Helio Castroneves.

TARRYTOWN, NY (June 20, 2013) – Hitachi, the primary sponsor for nine races on the No. 3 Team Penske Dallara/Chevrolet driven by Helio Castroneves, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and current IZOD IndyCar Series championship leader, today announced the launch of its Hitachi Motorsports microsite and the “Cheer for Gear” sweepstakes.

The new Hitachi Motorsports microsite is an integrated initiative promoting and highlighting the company’s achievements in developing innovative automotive technologies and its overall commitment to the Social Innovation Business, which ties into the company’s 2013 Global Brand Campaign entitled “Social Innovation – It’s Our Future.” The campaign slogan articulates Hitachi's ambition to solve serious global challenges with its Social Innovation Business. The microsite features information about Hitachi Automotive Systems' Gasoline Direct Injection solution – an important technology that enables automakers to comply with fuel economy and emissions requirements while maintaining the engine power that drivers expect. The microsite also provides details about Hitachi’s partnership with Team Penske and the IZOD IndyCar Series, the race schedule, and the latest updates on Helio Castroneves.

To share the excitement of Hitachi’s sponsorship with Team Penske and Castroneves with consumers, Hitachi Motorsports invites car racing fans to enter its “Cheer for Gear” sweepstakes for a chance to win authentic racing gear and diecast model cars autographed by Helio Castroneves. Additionally, by participating in the sweepstakes, each entrant will be entered automatically into the Grand Prize drawing to win a trip for two to the IZOD IndyCar Series race in Sonoma, Calif., in August 2013.

“We are thrilled to be working with Team Penske and Helio Castroneves on this promotion to bring fans actual race gear such as Helio’s helmet visor, gloves, and other exciting items. Fans will also have the chance to join in on the fun and become an honorary pit crew member for Helio’s team at an upcoming race. We are looking forward to sharing the excitement of this sweepstakes with fans while sharing information about Hitachi’s new Global Campaign, an integral part of our Sweepstakes. We wish all entrants the best of luck,” said Lauren Raguzin, Director, Branding and Corporate Communications Group for Hitachi America, Ltd.

“It’s awesome that Hitachi is giving fans the chance to win some of my gear and also to come out to a race and be a part of the Hitachi crew at the race in Sonoma,” said Castroneves. “The ‘Cheer for Gear’ sweepstakes is a great chance for fans to get closer to the action and experience the excitement of racing with Hitachi and Team Penske.”

Racing fans can enter each of the three sweepstakes by submitting a completed entry form and their response to the sweepstakes questions at www.facebook.com/hitachimotorsports during the period from June 19 through July 14, 2013. The promotion is open to all U.S. legal residents who are at least 18 years old or the age of majority in the state, in which they reside, whichever is older. No purchase is necessary to win. Please visit www.hitachi.us/motorsports to enter the “Cheer for Gear” sweepstakes and to view the Official Rules. The sweepstakes are being sponsored by Hitachi America, Ltd.

Raguzin noted, “Hitachi’s new 2013 Global Brand Campaign communicates the Hitachi Group's aspirations for the future to customers and business partners around the world, and is aimed at raising the understanding, commitment and value of the Hitachi brand. Under the campaign slogan “Social Innovation – It’s Our Future,” Hitachi’s campaign will reach 17 countries and regions around the world.

Through this campaign, Hitachi intends to build its brand as a global company in the Social Innovation Business and establish a competitive edge for business development going forward.”

About Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, 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 information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 326,000 employees worldwide. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal 2012 (ended March 31, 2013) totaled 9,041 billion yen ($96.1 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional material & components, automotive systems and others.

For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

Press Contacts

U.S.A.

Lauren Raguzin

Hitachi America, Ltd.

(914) 333-2986

lauren.raguzin@hal.hitachi.com