DENSO celebrated its 40-year anniversary of U.S. operations at a special reception for the media and guests Tuesday during the AAPEX show.

In his address to reception attendees, Toshiaki Fujii, head of the aftermarket business unit, DENSO Corp., said this year marks four decades of successful North American sales.

"Forty years ago, DENSO Sales California was established as DENSO’s first overseas subsidiary company," Fujii said. "We are proud of our heritage in North America, and we will continue to partner with our customers for many years to come."

Fujii also announced that in July, DENSO established a Global Aftermarket Business Unit.

"Creation of this new aftermarket business unit is a big step forward for DENSO’s aftermarket operations. Our objective is to expand and promote our aftermarket presence worldwide," he said.

Fujii said currently, DENSO has 30 aftermarket companies with $4 billion in sales. He also reported yesterday that, DENSO has the highest market share of A/C compressors, alternators and O2 sensors in the North American OEM market.

"When those products need replacing, we want customers to ask for DENSO replacement parts. That is our target and we will do this through a stronger emphasis on aftermarket branding," Fujii said. "Applying the knowledge we have gained in the North American market to the global aftermarket is one of the main reasons why we have created this new global business unit."