Mazda has unveiled its “Lean Asset Strategy,” reinforcing its multi-solution approach to electrification. This initiative is aimed at optimising product development and manufacturing while accelerating time-to-market and reducing costs.
Mazda says it has identified 2030 as the “dawn of electrification” and is aligning its business model to enhance efficiency across all aspects of vehicle development and production. Under its 2030 Management Policy, the company is leveraging existing assets to introduce new products and electrification technologies more quickly and cost-effectively. This initiative is designed to help the company remain agile in a changing market.
Mazda is streamlining its supply chain through strategic collaborations. By optimising the number of component types and relocating assembly operations closer to manufacturing plants, the company aims to reduce logistical complexities and costs while ensuring higher operational efficiency.
A key component of the Lean Asset Strategy is to optimise investment in electrification. Originally estimated at 1.5 trillion yen but expected to rise to 2 trillion yen due to inflation, the company is strategically cutting costs to maintain its initial target. By collaborating with partners on battery procurement rather than independently sourcing all components, Mazda says it aims to reduce investment by half – from 750 billion yen – to a significantly lower amount.
Mazda Monozukuri Innovation 2.0
Central to this transformation is the introduction of “Mazda Monozukuri Innovation 2.0,” an advanced iteration of the company’s existing manufacturing philosophy. This initiative focuses on tripling development productivity, allowing for more complex vehicle designs without additional resource expenditure. Mazda notes that this shift significantly reduces development man-hours and costs while ensuring the company can continue to innovate.
This approach boasts some impressive time and cost savings. For its upcoming battery electric vehicle (BEV), set for release in 2027, Mazda anticipates a 40% reduction in development investment and a 50% decrease in development time compared to conventional methods. By integrating battery EVs and traditional engine vehicles on the same production lines, the OEM is minimising capital expenditures, slashing initial investment costs by 85%, and cutting mass production preparation time by 80%.
Flexible production and supply chain innovation
Mazda says its mixed-production methodology is a cornerstone of its efficiency-driven strategy. Unlike conventional factories that require dedicated production lines for different powertrains, Mazda’s facilities will be equipped to manufacture both battery EVs and engine-powered vehicles simultaneously. The introduction of “Rootless Production Equipment,” including automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and unmanned guided vehicles (UGVs), will further enhance flexibility and responsiveness to market demands.
Additionally, Mazda is streamlining its supply chain through strategic collaborations. By optimising the number of component types and relocating assembly operations closer to manufacturing plants, the company aims to reduce logistical complexities and costs while ensuring higher operational efficiency.
A future-proof approach to electrification
Mazda’s electrification strategy is underpinned by the development of its SKYACTIV-Z engine technology, which is designed to comply with stringent emission standards such as Euro 7 in Europe and Tier 4 in the US. By 2027, the SKYACTIV-Z system will debut in Mazda’s next-generation CX-5, integrated with the company’s hybrid technology.
Furthermore, the company says its in-house-developed EV platform is built with adaptability in mind, accommodating various battery configurations to keep pace with advancements in battery technology. The company’s first fully in-house BEV, launching in 2027, will be produced in Japan for a global rollout, reinforcing Mazda’s commitment to flexible and cost-efficient vehicle production.
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