TOKYO: Japanese auto parts supplier Denso Corp is buying an additional 4.5 percent stake in chipmaker Renesas Electronics in a deal worth $800 million based on market prices, as car makers accelerate the adoption of self-driving and other technologies. Denso is an affiliate of and supplier to Japan’s biggest automaker Toyota Motor Corp. It has been ramping up spending on research and development of new technologies including “connected cars”. In February, Denso announced an investment in California cybersecurity startup Dellfer. It is acquiring the stake from Innovation Network Corp of Japan (INCJ), a state-backed fund that owns 50.1 percent in the chipmaker, INCJ said in a statement. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the transaction is worth about 85 billion yen ($796.9 million) based on Renesas’ share price. As a result of the deal, Denso’s stake in Renesas will rise to 5 percent, while INCJ’s will fall to 45.6. Renesas shares rose almost 9 percent on Friday after the news, before giving back some of the gains to be up 5 percent. Denso shares were down 0.1 percent. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.2 percent in afternoon trade. Automakers and auto parts makers have been racing to develop new technologies as the sector shifts to electronic cars and automated driving, boosting the role of chips and software in cars. Published in Daily Times, March 10th 2018.