American designers influencing J apanese automakers Fashion plates Lexus SC400, and the iMndvlooking Nissan NX all have one thing in common: they were designed in U.S. design studios, not in Japan. More and more emphasis is being piaced on California design studios to conceive and design unique cars aimed at the North American market. Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Hon- da, Mitsubishi, and Subaru all have design studios on the west coast. Both U.S. and Japanese talent are pocled together to create automobiles that just can- not be conceived from design of- fices in Japan. The bright sun, beach, palm trees, and abundance of unique and exotic cars create an al- mosphere in California unmatched in crowded Japan. This ‘‘car- mania” environment stimulates designers to be more innovative, and allows them to develop automobiles without the usual in- terrvotions from other engincering departments. The popular and successful Mazda Miata is one of the “Designed-in-U.S.A.’" cars. The concept of designing a simple, yet fun-to-drive roadster was a joint effort between designers and pro- duct planners, including Bob Hall and Mark Jordan (son of Chuck Jordan, chief designer at General Motors). Engineers in Japan then carefully developed the design into a production model without affec- ting the original concept. ‘ The recently introduced Lexus Dawid Chao OVERDRIVE into a ‘‘fluid’’ shape then translated into a two-dimensional sketch. This process is unusual in that most design works originate from two-dimensional sketches first. As most peopie will agree, the result is a striking and vivid design, especially when compared to the more conservative, ‘*designed-in-Japan’’ Lexus Photo submitted THE LEXUS SC400 was designed at Toyota's Calty, California of- fices. SC400 has been getting muct at- tention lately not only because of its excellent engineering, but also because of the beautiful and in- novative design that conveys warmth, sportiness, and high technology, all wrapped up into a “*fluid”’ shape. It was designed at Calty, Toyota’s California design office. Tr: SC400 was designed from a three-dimensional clay-filled balloon. The balloon was shaped LS400. Because of the fact that designs from California tend to be less conservative and more aggressive, four-door sedan models are often designed in Japan. Lexus LS400, Honda Accord, and Infiniti Q45 were designed by Japanese design- ers to target conservative, often family-oriented buyers who may not desire a fancier style. Show cars displayed at interna- tional auto shows often originate “GIVE YOUR BABY SOME TLC HAND CAR DETAILING, REPAIRS, SERVICE & eee WEST VANCOUVER’S FIRST CAR CARE CENTR * Hand Waxing «Cut Polishing e Engine Shampoo « Uphalstery Cleaning ¢ Full Detailing «Complete Mechanical e Complete Bodywork y T.L.C. Auto Centre | 1534 Clyde Ave. West Van 926-1LCC ff 926-8522 ot , Photo submitted THE DESIGN of Mazda's Miata was a joint effort between designers and product planners. from California studios as well. Nissan, for example, displayed a cute and somewhat strange-look- ing pickup truck called ‘‘Gobi’’ last January in Detroit. The odd, yet affectionate, design was con- ceived by imaginative designers in San Diego under Gerry Hirshberg, a former GM designer. Unique designs come not only from the U.S., however, as both Toyota and Mazda have opened up design centres in Europe. The key to design is international in- fluence; design that can impress consumers around the world. With strong influences from the California studios, Japanese cars can no longer be criticized for lack of design appeal. To further supplement these design centres and already existing manufactur- ing plants, many of the Japanese manufacturers have also set up engineering centres in the U.S. The Honda Accord station wagon, for example, was engineered by the Honda engineering centre in Ohio. Eventually, the Japanese auto makers will be able to design, engineer, and produce cars in North America without much help from the oversea offices. With many well-designed cars already on the market from Japan, it will be interesting to see how Ameri- cans further influence automotive trends through their Japanese- American hybrid centres. 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