*****For immediate use April 3^rd, 2001

NEC Electronics Unveils Family of 32-bit RISC Microcontrollers with Optimal Performance/Power Ratios for Consumer, Industrial and Automotive Applications

"V850/SC1,SC2,SC3"

TOKYO/SANTA CLARA, Calif. - April 3, 2001 - Continuing its dedication to providing high-performance, low-power microcontroller (MCU) solutions for a wide range of markets, NEC Corporation (NEC) (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) (TYSE: 6701) and its semiconductor subsidiary in the United States, NEC Electronics, today introduced its V850/SCx^TM family of MCUs. A new addition to the highly successful RISC-based V850TM 32-bit MCU product line, the V850/SCx family contains three devices (V850/SC1^TM, V850/SC2^TM and V850/SC3^TM) aimed at delivering high-performance, low-cost solutions for home audio, consumer, industrial, and automotive telematic and audio applications. These devices are software-compatible with existing V850 MCUs and offer a variety of memory options including integrated flash/ROM/RAM options, with up to 512 KB of flash and 24KB of ROM available.

"NEC Electronics is focused on providing optimal microcontroller solutions for consumer, industrial and automotive application systems," said Shige Ishikawa, assistant general manager, System LSI, NEC Electronics. "The V850/SCx family's large internal memory, high-performance capabilities, low-power consumption and abundance of peripheral options should position these MCUs as a leading choice for customers seeking a full-featured 32-bit MCU solution."

A successor to the V850/SBx^TM and V850/SF1^TM families, the V850/SCx contains three, pin-compatible MCUs, all featuring ultra-low power consumption and low noise design. The difference between the three controllers in the family is the serial bus function. The V850/SC1 is a standard product of the V850/SCx family with no dedicated bus, targets home audio and video, home security systems, and industrial systems applications. NEC's V850/SC2 contains a one-channel Inter Equipment Bus (IEBus^TM), and a serial bus for the internal equipment of an application system and is suited for car audio and video applications. The V850/SC3 offers either a one- or two-channel full controlled area network (CAN) interface that runs at 1 Mbps and contains 32 message buffers. CAN devices are currently in high demand for automotive and industrial system applications. With the V850/SC3, customers have the advantage of selecting the channel configuration of the CAN, making it ideal for a number of applications including car audio and video, home audio and video, home security, and automotive and industrial systems. As for all of its V850 CAN devices, NEC offers sample CAN software routines to help set up communication, while CAN drivers are available through third parties.

V850/SCx Specifications

• Supports up to 512 KB flash memory, mask ROM and 24 KB RAM
• Large number of I/Os
• 144-pin LQFP package
• 20 MHz clock frequency
• 22 Dhrystone MIPS
• 10-channel, 16-bit multifunction timer
• 12-channel analog input of 10-bit A/D converter
• 8-channel serial communication port (including 2-channel I2C option)
• Power on reset circuit

Pricing and Availability
The flash version of the V850/SCx worldwide will sample in April 2001 and is priced at $30 in 1K quantities. Mass production of the flash version will begin in December 2001. The mask ROM version of the entire family will be made available in Q1 2002 and is priced at $12.50 in 10K quantities. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

NEC MCUs
NEC offers a broad range of microcontrollers suited for the industrial, communications, automotive and consumer market segments. Overall, NEC consistently ranks among the top manufacturers of microcontrollers worldwide. According to Gartner Group's Dataquest, NEC Electronics is currently the leading supplier of 32-bit MCUs capturing over 21 percent of the market.¹

About NEC Electronics Inc.
NEC Electronics Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is one of the leading developers, manufacturers and suppliers of semiconductor products in the United States. Committed to meeting customers' cost, performance and time-to-market requirements, the company offers solutions ranging from standard products to system-on-a-chip (SOC) solutions, as well as customized products for next-generation designs. NEC Electronics also offers customers the benefits of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Roseville, California, and the global manufacturing capabilities of its parent company, NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY). For more information about products offered by NEC Electronics Inc., please visit the NEC Electronics web site at http://www.necel.com.

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) (TSE: 6701) is a leading provider of Internet solutions, dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its customers in the key computer, network and electron device fields through its three market-focused in-house companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. NEC Corporation, with its in-house companies, employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and saw net sales of 4,991 billion Yen (approx. US$48 billion) in fiscal year 1999-2000. For further information, please visit the NEC home page at: http://www.nec.com

***

NEC Electronics Inc. is either a registered trademark or trademark of NEC Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other registered trademarks or trademarks are property of their respective owners. Job#10877

1 Gartner Group, Dataquest; 1999 Microcontroller Market Share and Unit Shipments, July 17, 2000

Media Contact:

In the United States Mark Pearce NEC Electronics (409) 588-6620 mark_pearce@el.nec.com

In Japan Daniel Mathieson NEC Corporation 81-3-3798-6511 d-mathieson@bu.jp.nec.com