Visit Report
Company Visit: Mazda Motor Corporation
Introduction
This
Company visit is a part of AIMS (ASEAN International Mobility for Students) in
Hiroshima University. The goal of the
visit was for me to experience the organization and culture of a Japanese company
as part of my exchange program to Hiroshima University.
Mazda
Motor Corporation is multinational automaker which its headquarters is in
Hiroshima, Japan. It is founded on January 1920, and produce more than 1.5
million vehicles for global sales. It has 6 overseas production sites in China,
Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Russia.
Site Visit Outline
I visited Mazda
Motor Corporation from 10am to 4pm on October 10th. There I join a museum
tour and attend two lectures by Mazda design and engineering department. In the
museum first we are shown a brief company introduction video in the entrance
hall. After that we go to the second floor of the museum where we can see the
history of Mazda since its founding in 1920 until present day. There was
presented displays of historical vehicles from the founding of Mazda until
present day. Then we come to the rotary engine area. Here we can see Mazda technology
in rotary engine, one of the unique machines that Mazda really pride off. Next,
we see the display of Mazda technology which are the vehicle manufacturing process
such as stamping, casting, machining, and painting. And also, we learn a brief
explanation about Mazda Sky-active technology that implemented in the car’s
body, machine and transmission. Later, we visit the Mazda assembly line. Here
we see Mazda unique way of assembling. They have multiple model of vehicle produce
in a single line which make it super flexible and efficient. To support this multiple
model assembly line Mazda, implement a robotic tray that move together with a specific
car to ensure there are no mistake in assembly. And in the end of the tour we visit
the future area. Here we are explained about Mazda approach to the environment
and its efforts for the reduction of CO2 emissions based on
Sustainable “Zoom-Zoom” by 2030. Mazda believe that we still have to research in
increasing efficiency of internal combustion engine because now days electric
source for electric vehicles still come from oil or coal-based Power plant that
also produce a lot of CO2.
After a lunch break,
we come to visit the design department. Here we get a lecture form Mr. Sawai.
Mr. Sawai give an explanation about “KODO” design, Mazda design philosophy, that
are use by all Mazda designer. He first starts the explanation about brand
value management. In the explanation he told us to become an outstanding brand,
a brand has to be premium and unique. In the journey to achieve this Mazda found
what the customer feels when they see a brand which is.
“There are
basically two things that can motivate a person for choosing something, there
are Rational Value and Emotional Value, Mazda always tries to achieve both
things” – Kaname Sawai.
Rational value is about what car
function to us and emotional value is about the beauty of the car that can touch
the heart of the owner. One of the way Mazda achieves these values by implement
Skyactive technology for rational value and “KODO” (soul of motion) design to
breath life into car for emotional value. To achieve great emotional value Mazda
make it by first do a great preparation. Mazda prepare by draw the design in paper
sketch and later in computer 3D model sketch. Later these sketches were
transfer to a clay model. These proses repeated until an excellent design achieves.
The second step is by a co-creation. Collaboration of designer and engineer are
done to realize the design into a real product.
The last session was
lecture on “Jinba-Ittai” by Mr. Moriuchi. “Jinba- Ittai” come from a Japanese word
which means “Ridder and horse as one”. It was taken from Traditional Archery
where the rider and its horse need to be one in order to get its full
potential. Mazda use these motto as they want their car as an easy to drive
car. The car has to be an extension of the
body. Driving should feel the same way like your body want to walk. While we
are walking there are actually a lot of body movement that occurred in that moment,
however we can simply walk without have to think every movement that occurred.
To make driving is a “Jinba-Ittai” Mazda design these cars by first analyzing the
movement of our body so that a perfect harmony can be achieved. There more examples
that Mr. Moriuchi taught us some of these are about car pedals, stability of
our sit, and alignment of driving position.
Points of
Note
During
my visit, I learned Mazda history and motto to achieve a perfect vehicle
product. They have a good target of what kind of brand image that Mazda want to
be seen. And to achieve these targets they do it by learn form their history
and keep a strong motto in their activities. They define their value to two
clear value which are rational and emotional value. Then create their motto and
research to that value.
I learned the view of Mazda design team
by their “KODO” design that really represented I their car. How the maker and designer
of the car have Takumi manufacturing value that is manufacturing like a craftsman.
How much preparation they made in the modeling and sketching the design. And
how they work together to optimize the possibility to make a perfect car. They
also aim for the world top design brand by creating a design theme. They take
this design by learning the japan culture which is simplicity. So, their theme
is “Beauty from deduction, less is more”
The engineering team with their “Jinba-Ittai”
also really give the best in delivered a great easy to drive product. I learned
that they put attention until the minor detail like how the body balancing system
will be affected when they are driving their car. They developed G-vectoring
control to help solve this problem. And even the chosen position of driving and
the type of the gas pedal that can give full comfort in driving.
Conclusion
My
visit to Mazda Motor Corporation was very beneficial. I learned how a car
company use body, heart, and mind in making their product so that it can become
a masterpiece. These is quite a new experience for me that are really different
from my country. I benefited greatly by visiting Mazda. I will definitely
attempt to implement this kind of motto in my life and when I work later.
