Kariya City, Japan-DENSO plans to supply 40,000 high-performance spark plugs-Iridium Power (IU27D) to Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. for its sports motorcycle YZF-R1.The sports motorcycle YZF-R1 was launched in Jan. 2002 in Europe and the United States and is regarded as a flagship motorcycle at Yamaha.

"DENSO is reinforcing sales of Iridium Power in the U.S. and European aftermarkets," said Oyuki Ogawa, managing director of DENSO Corporation."We expect that Yamaha's adoption of the Iridium Power will greatly help promote sales expansion in the American and European spare parts markets."

DENSO's Iridium Power spark plug has a center electrode made of iridium alloy with a 0.4mm diameter and a tapered-cut ground electrode. This improves ignitibility of the plug and driving response in acceleration and high-speed running, resulting in smooth engine starts and enhancing idling stability to the vehicle, according to user evaluations.