Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (Head office in Chuo-ku, Osaka; President & CEO Masayoshi Matsumoto) and Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. (Head office in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture; President & CEO Fumikiyo Uchioke, both companies are hereafter referred to as "Sumitomo Group") have developed an automotive low-voltage wiring harness using aluminum wires, and this wiring harness is used for the new Ractis from Toyota Motor Corporation.

Currently, environmental consciousness is a highly prioritized in addition to safety and amenities for automobiles, and improvement in fuel efficiency is therefore required. Accordingly reduction in weight is required for wiring harnesses as the heaviest set of harnesses per vehicle weighs no less than 20 kg.
In response to this requirement, the Sumitomo Group has promoted the application of aluminum wires in automotive wiring harnesses, and successfully developed lightweight wiring harnesses using thin aluminum wires with a twisted wire structure by reviewing the terminal structure etc. to ensure reliability of electrical connection.

We will further promote technological development to expand the vehicle models where these newly developed harnesses are mounted.


[Comparison of typical size wire mass]

(Size shows the nominal size and wire mass shows the typical value.)
(Material not containing halogen compound is used for insulating sheath.)