Airbus SAS, the world's largest commercial plane maker, plans to order more than 5 percent of parts and material for its new A350 jetliner from suppliers in Japan, seeking a foothold in a market dominated by Boeing Co.
Airbus is in talks with Teijin Ltd., Toray Industries Inc. and other potential suppliers for the 300-seat plane, Executive Vice President Kiran Rao said in an interview in Tokyo last week. Contracts may be signed with at least 22 suppliers, he added. The A350 may have the most Japanese-made parts among Airbus planes.
Making more A350 parts in Japan may help France-based Airbus win more orders from airlines in Asia's biggest air passenger market after China. Boeing, with an 80 percent market share, is using Japanese suppliers for more than a third of the parts for its competing 787 Dreamliner.