Komatsu Delivers New Equipment to Sales Channel Through Interactive Internet Webcast On January 5.

Business/Technology Editors

VERNON HILLS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2001

Komatsu continues to lead the industry in its use of

eBusiness by offering customers more ease of use and

convenience in viewing products and services

Komatsu America International Company (KAIC) today reinforced its position as a leader in eBusiness in the construction industry by hosting an innovative Internet Webcast featuring its new Avance Plus WA250-3 Wheel Loaders. The interactive Webcast, scheduled for Friday, January 5 at 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, brings the new equipment to potential buyers by allowing them to virtually walk around a Wheel Loader and view only features and functionality of interest to them. It can be viewed by logging onto www.avanceplus.com/webcast/webcast.htm.

The Webcast is interactive in nature, allowing viewers to customize the experience to meet their individual needs. It consists of a video walk around of the actual machine with accompanying audio describing specific features of the equipment. Users can choose to view only those areas of importance to them - performance capability, operator comfort, serviceability and/or high-quality components. The Webcast also includes complete information on machine specs and service support, and a digital tour of the Komatsu plant in Candiac, Canada that shows how the wheel loaders are manufactured.

According to Keith W. Sanderson, Director, KAIC eBusiness Strategic Planning, "The Webcast is part of our overall eBusiness strategy to better deliver quality service and support to our end customers through the Internet. Utilizing this efficient method, they can conveniently view the product without ever leaving the office."

The Komatsu Wheel Loader Webcast is part of a series of initiatives designed to optimize the quality of service delivered to end-customers. Other recent KAIC eBusiness strategic announcements have included the formation of the Virtual Distributor Network, a uniform eBusiness environment that distributors can utilize to sell Komatsu parts, equipment and services, an alliance with IronPlanet establishing an equipment auction website, and the formation of the eBusiness Strategic Planning Department to develop strategic technology and business alliances, and determine new investment opportunities.

Komatsu America International Company (KAIC), the second-largest supplier of construction equipment in North America, manufactures and markets the Komatsu, Dressta, and Galion lines of hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, crawler dozers, off-highway trucks, and motor graders. Komatsu Mining Systems, Inc. (KMS), the second-largest supplier of mining equipment in North America, manufactures and markets the Komatsu loader, dozer, truck, shovel, grader, and Modular Mining lines. Komatsu Utility Corporation (KUC), supplier of construction, utility and rental products, markets the Komatsu line of backhoe loaders, compact excavators, compact wheel loaders, and compact dozers. KA, KMS, and KUC are supported by Komatsu Parts and Service and can be financed through Komatsu Financial.