LAKE SUCCESS, NY, May 9, 2001 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), announced today that it achieved the number one position in total U.S. laser facsimile shipments for 2000, based on the final results of market studies completed by International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading IT market research and consulting firm. According to IDC, the top U.S. laser facsimile ranking marks Canon's 12th consecutive year as number one, with 160,000 unit shipments and 18.8% share in 2000, followed in second by Hewlett Packard with 130,000 unit shipments and 15.3% share, and Brother third with 115,000 unit shipments and 13.5% share. "Once again, we are extremely pleased to announce that more customers chose Canon laser fax solutions in 2000 than any other brand," said Chris Sedlacek, assistant director of Marketing, Facsimile Division at Canon U.S.A. "Having led the laser fax market now for twelve years in a row clearly demonstrates Canon's ongoing commitment to developing award-winning facsimile technology," she added. "Canon has been the leading provider of laser fax machines in the US market since it introduced the first laser machine to the North American market back in 1989," reports Peter Davidson, IDC fax research manager. "Its leadership position is a testament to a quality product line and strong distribution channel." In addition, Canon recently received several "Editor's Choice" awards for its fax products from Better Buys for Business, a leading independent authority on office equipment, within its annual Laser Fax Guide. An Editor's Choice Award from Better Buys for Business signifies the best value in a particular product category, based on features and specifications, and how a product stacks up against competition. Canon fax products chosen as "Editor's Choice" this year include the Canon LASER CLASS 3175, LASER CLASS 3170, and LASER CLASS 9000L. All products mentioned herein are ENERGY STAR-compliant. International Data Corporation (IDC), a division of International Data Group, is the world's leading provider of information technology (IT) industry analysis, market data and insight, and strategic and tactical guidance to builders, providers and users of information technology. International Data Group has offices in more than 40 countries with nearly 800 professionals worldwide and provides in-depth, granular analysis on all facets of computing to facilitate informed business decisions.