Hitachi Ltd. announced that it will split off its Consumer Products Group and the Industrial Components and Equipment Group in April 2002.

The Consumer Products Group's main products are refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens and other white goods. It will be consolidated with Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., then split off into an independent company. The new company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., will take over all operations of its two manufacturing subsidiaries - Hitachi Tochigi Technology and Hitachi Taga Electronics.

The Industrial Components and Equipment Group includes low-voltage motors, transformers and air compressors. It will be consolidated with Hitachi Industries Co., then merged with associated maintenance service companies.