Company Visit: Mazda Motor Corporation

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 10^th. 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.