Mazda has a long history of breaking the rules for the best reasons. Wakako Uefuji is its second female program lead, having taken the reins from Tomiko Takeuchi to continue the rich philosophy of Jinba-Ittai – the effortless bond between driver and vehicle.
We spoke to Uefuji, who is based in Japan, about what it means to lead a team that is transforming motoring without compromising on tradition.
G: What influenced you to join Mazda?
WU: Mazda was a local company that I loved and took pride in, as my father worked there as well. Wanting to be involved in plant construction, I applied to work in production engineering and was happy to be placed there.
G: What has that experience been like?
WU: My first 12 years with the company were spent predominantly working in painting production preparation for new models. I then took three years of maternity leave, during which I found myself connecting with people and society in new ways. I enjoyed time spent studying business management, volunteering and navigating the new challenges of motherhood.
I like making things as well as interacting with people, which led me to a new role after returning from maternity leave, in charge of process innovating in finishing and assembly, leading a human-centric process design team. In April this year, I took on the role of program manager of Mazda’s first electric vehicle, the MX-30. I’m responsible for interacting with staff members across multiple departments company-wide, from development through to retail, and leading our team towards the ultimate goal of delivering a product that our customers will truly love.
Mazda plans for electric vehicles to account for 25% of global production by 2030.
G: How does your personal philosophy align with Jinba-Ittai?
WU: We work tirelessly to create an experience in which the driver’s intentions and the vehicle response feel in sync with one another – as though the joy of driving is shared between the two, like the closeness of a rider with their horse. This is the kind of “effortless joyful driving” we seek to achieve through Jinba-Ittai.
I’m no petrol head – I don’t know the ins and outs of cars and driving like these guys do – and I’m actually proud to say I probably see and understand cars from a similar perspective to most of our customers. I believe having a space that is just yours – a favourite spot where you can relax and calm your heart and mind when you need to take a breather – is another essential part of Jinba-Ittai.
G: The MX-30 is Mazda’s first electric vehicle. What’s it like to be at the helm of this project?
WU: We believe the heart of those who make the car is reflected in the finished product. We want to design and produce cars in a way that allows us to pour our hearts into each vehicle we send out. As the MX-30 program manager, I continue to build on the work of Tomiko Takeuchi and her team. I will help to bring the vehicle to customers so they can experience it for themselves, and to help staff and dealerships feel a sense of pride as they send the MX-30 into the world.
G: How does the MX-30 speak to company plans for a sustainable and stylish future?
WU: The previous MX-30 program manager, Ms Takeuchi, was determined to create a “car that embodies an entirely new set of values” and started the MX-30 program from a completely blank canvas, designing a brand new body type, powertrain and vehicle name. The MX-30 is a true masterpiece that has grown out of a long creative process centered around the concept of “living life true to oneself”.
Mazda plans for all our vehicles to be equipped with electrification technology and for electric vehicles to account for 25% of global production by 2030. We’re taking a multi-solution approach that considers regional differences in electricity generation and ensures the technologies and products made in each region will contribute to the greatest reduction in emissions.
The MX-30 Electric embodies Mazda’s philosophy of Jinba-Ittai – the effortless bond between driver and vehicle.
The MX-30 is not only equipped with a variety of electrification technologies. We are using this model to challenge ourselves to expand the Mazda brand. Each MX-30 will be delivered to the customer with a full battery that has been charged using solar power generation equipment installed at our head office in Hiroshima.
In its design, the MX-30 carefully balances shape, colour, materials and functionality. The interior cabin space has an ambience that calms the mind the moment you sit in the car. I remember stepping into it without any preconceptions, sitting in the driver’s seat for the first time, and being immediately drawn to its elegance and style and, at the same time, feeling my body relax. It is furnished using environmentally friendly materials including cork, vegan leather, recycled fabrics and other fibres made of recycled raw materials. It is the perfect fusion of style and sustainability.
G: What excites you most about seeing the MX-30 out in the world?
WU: Seeing people smile and say: “Thanks.” Knowing I can play even a small part in putting a true smile on someone’s face is my greatest joy and the driving force behind everything I do. And I want those of us who design, produce and deliver the MX-30 to keep a smile on our faces, too. It’s this sense of connection through shared enjoyment that excites me the most.
Combining sustainable materials and clean engine technology, the Mazda MX-30 Electric is a vision for the future. Now available for pre-order.
