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Customization projects
Our Group company, Mazda E&T Inc., is involved in the manufacture
of a wide range of vehicles through its 'Special needs Customization
Project', for special needs vehicles, its 'Pleasure Customization
Project' for a wide range of individualized and hobby-type cars, and its
'Business Customization Project' for the design, development and
fitting of refrigerated and other special-order commercial vehicles.
Orders for such vehicles may be for extremely small quantities, but
the vehicles themselves are playing vital roles in the lives of many.
Global Customer Satisfaction
Alongside individual customer needs, the different countries to which
Mazda ships its cars also have extremely differing cultural factors and
preferences relating to cars. Mazda ensures communication between its
development divisions and its sales companies such as MNAO in America
and those in Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia, and is constantly
coordinating and studying the types of car required in different cities
around the world, so as to improve customer satisfaction on a global basis.
Marketing staff in each country are required to have a thorough knowledge
of the product development and introduction process, and personnel are
frequently sent to different countries from the Head Office Global Marketing
Division in order to increase communication with development staff.
Overseas assignment
provides an improved
understanding of the
product development
Global Product Marketing Division,
Global Marketing Head Office
Tetsu Nakazawa
Japan assignment began in June of 2004 and
will complete at the end of 2005.
My current assignment involves working with R&D on the development of the
European version of the just launched MX-5. Specifically, I communicate daily with
Mazda Motors Europe and discuss their various equipment requirements as well as
determining pricing and expected volumes for all of Europe. Additionally, I release
order guides for the indivdual markets which contain product specifications, color
combinations and a detailed equipment and model variation list. While at MNAO I
was also involved working on the MX-5, however I would make proposals to
Mazda's GPMD as to the market requirements for North America.
In Japan I am using my previous overseas market experience to try to work closely
with development and explain the market needs. I have gained a much better
understanding of the development process and challenges at Mazda in bringing a
product to market. Having direct communication with R&D is a valuable experience
and I hope to keep my contacts when I return to the US.
Mazda Momentum released
to help dealers worldwide
As part of the mid-term management plan known as Mazda
Momentum, Mazda invited dealers and distributors from all over the
world to a Momentum Event in May 2005. The purpose of the event
was to deepen our understanding of the 'One Mazda' operating
globally, and thereby to improve customer satisfaction with our
products.
From the points of view of participating numbers, products exhibited,
and scale, it was the biggest event we have hosted to date in
Hiroshima, and we received excellent feedback in relation to the future
products and cycle plans announced at the Event. It was felt that the
event served to confirm our confidence in our future and in one
Views of visitors from overseas
I learned a lot about some very impressive
products, and I feel confident about the
future of Mazda.
I met the people who actually make our
products, and was able to visit the production
lines. I felt a strong sense of the spirit and
culture of Mazda.
I was emboldened by my participation in
the event. I think it met the objectives of
creating One Mazda, One Team, One Vision.
I felt the passion of Mazda for the future
through this event.
Glossary: 1
MNAO
Mazda North American Operations
The business name under which Mazda
Motors of America Inc. operates.
Social & Environmental Report 2005