Daihatsu’s incoming president Masanori Mitsui, who took up his post in late June, wants the company to be much quicker in developing new models and learn lessons from the clothing industry.
Speaking to the Nikkei business daily, Mitsui said he would pool the best talents from across the company including product planning, design and performance evaluation departments and change the vertical structure into one which works more closely across departments.
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This new approach will be used first on a new engine development centre that is due to open next March in Kurume, Japan.
Mitsui told the Nikkei that while it was difficult to shorten development times drastically, it was important to respond more promptly to shifting consumer needs.
“Apparel makers offer new products every six months or so, and we would like to learn from their example,” he said.
