Next-Generation Interior Innovation

「Based on these development results, we completed the conversion to the in-house standard (KES) and confirmed technical feasibility for application to mass production. As a result, we determined that the prescribed CQT targets had been met and designated the project AE-OUT.」

「Total research and development expenses for the interim consolidated accounting period were ¥749 million, while research and development-related costs incurred for new-vehicle development, improvements to existing products and other activities amounted to ¥2,383 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group’s research and development activities during the interim consolidated accounting period.」

「In developing new products, we previously manufactured full-scale mock-ups (prototypes), but have been shifting to virtual mock-ups.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group’s R&D activities during the six-month consolidated accounting period.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「As part of these efforts, in February 2023 we opened a new presentation room at our Samukawa headquarters. We named it “WAKUWAKU BASE” to reflect its role as a base for communicating our approach to development under the Kasai Sustainability Policy and our initiatives for the future. It currently displays 13 items, including concept models, VR content, environmentally friendly new-material development and early-stage development of comfort-enhancing products.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「In recent years, we have moved quickly to anticipate next-generation automotive technologies centered on CASE, including autonomous driving and connectivity, for which expectations are rising. We have advocated the Interior User Interface (IUI) concept, under which the interior serves as the interface between the vehicle and its occupants, and are strongly advancing research and development of innovative interior products for the next generation. In 2022, a new MAP LAMP equipped with touch switches was adopted for a new EV.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「We developed “Hot Melt Precoat,” an adhesive method that does not use organic solvents, and it was adopted for mass production in a new SUV launched in the UK in 2021. We also developed “Textured In-Mold Color,” a molded-in-color technology that does not use paint, and it was adopted for mass production in a new SUV launched in North America in 2020.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「Under these business conditions, the Group is working to establish its position as an automotive interior components manufacturer in global markets by strengthening its product development and technological capabilities and actively expanding sales to customers, including those overseas. As a result of these activities, its “1 STEP Molding Method Sewn Decorative Headliner” received the 2019 “Super” Monozukuri Parts Award (Mobility-Related Parts Award), sponsored by the Monozukuri Nippon Kaigi and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative third quarter.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative second quarter.」

「There were no material changes in the status of the Group's research and development activities during the cumulative first quarter.」

「Against this backdrop, the Group is working to establish its position as a global automotive interior components manufacturer by ensuring quality, promoting productivity improvements and cost-reduction activities, and strengthening product development capabilities and technological expertise, while actively expanding its business, including overseas.」

「Against this backdrop, the Group is working to establish its position as a global automotive interior components manufacturer by ensuring quality, promoting productivity improvements and cost-reduction activities, and strengthening product development capabilities and technological expertise, while actively expanding its business, including overseas.」

「Against this backdrop, the Group is working to establish its position as a global automotive interior components manufacturer by ensuring quality, promoting productivity improvements and cost-reduction activities, and strengthening product development capabilities and technological expertise, while actively expanding its business, including overseas.」

「In recent years, we have moved quickly to anticipate next-generation automotive technologies, including autonomous driving, for which expectations are rising. We have advocated the Interior User Interface (IUI) concept, under which the interior serves as the interface between the vehicle and its occupants, and are strongly advancing the early-stage development of innovative interior products for the next generation.」

「As a result of these activities, we received a global quality award from a major customer, the first such award for an interior or exterior component, the Aoki Katashi Technology Award from the Society of Plastic Molding Processing, and the 2016 “Super” Monozukuri Parts Grand Award (Automotive Parts Award), sponsored by the Monozukuri Nippon Kaigi and The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.」

「Under these business conditions, the Group is working to establish its position as a global automotive interior components manufacturer by ensuring quality, improving productivity, reducing costs, and strengthening product development and technological capabilities, while actively expanding its business, including overseas. As a result of these activities, it received its major customers’ first-ever global quality award for interior and exterior components, as well as the Aoki Katashi Technology Award from the Japan Society of Polymer Processing.」

「We are working to ensure quality, improve productivity and reduce costs, and strengthen our product development and technological capabilities, while actively expanding our business, including overseas. As a result of these activities, we received a global quality award from a major customer, the first such award for an interior or exterior component, as well as the Aoki Katashi Technology Award from the Society of Plastic Molding Processing.」

「As a specialist manufacturer of automotive interior trim components, the Group is actively pursuing research and development under the theme of “Innovating vehicle interiors for the next generation” so that it can propose attractive products using the latest technologies.」