Who Is The Mazda Design Chief, Ikuo Maeda?

If you are a Mazda enthusiast, you are excited about the latest design visions from Design ChiefIkuo Maeda. Considered a visionary within the automotive industry, he is full of the passion and energy needed to move Mazda to the top of the automotive world. Currently dedicating much of his time to continued development of the RX-8 as well as the highly-anticipated concept car Mazda Kai, he leaves little doubt Mazda enthusiasts like yourself have plenty to look forward to behind the wheel.

The Need for Speed

With a nickname of "Speedy" and having a reputation for feeling the need for speed on the road now and then, Maeda is a guy you can relate to on many levels. Not afraid to admit he has received the occasional speeding ticket, he gives Mazda a fresh and unique perspective on many fronts. With his father having been a Mazda designer who is credited with having developed the company's signature RX-7 sports car, Ikuo not only wants to continue the work started by his father, but take Mazda's design concepts to new and exciting heights.

A Career Mazda Man

Having joined Mazda in 1982 when he was only 23, Ikuo has the experience and knowledge to know just how much Mazda has changed over the years. Especially proud of how his father was in charge of the RX-7 and he in charge of the RX-8, Ikuo is preparing to give Mazda buyers like yourself vehicles you never could have imagined. And judging from its prior history, you've got plenty to be excited about. When it comes to awards, Mazda has earned its share, including:

--2016 Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year (RX Coupe)

--2017 Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year (Vision Coupe)

--2016 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year (MX-5)

Despite the fact that Mazda currently has a less than two percent share of the U.S. auto market, Ikuo believes it is poised to go as high as 10 percent or more, as it currently is in Australia. According to Maeda, this is due to such reasons as:

--Mazda vehicles appeal to both men and women

--Vehicles have unique handling and technology

--Enjoy a sporty brand image worldwide

--Competitive pricing and fuel economy

By being able to redefine its brand time after time over the years, Mazda makes sure you've always got something new and exciting to look forward to each new model year.

Single Motion Design

Always known for innovation, Ikuo Maeda and Mazda have pushed the limits with theirlatest creation, the Mazda Kai concept car. Unveiled for U.S. buyers at the New York Auto Show in March 2018, it demonstrates to drivers how Mazda is embracing the design model known as Single Motion. Unlike Double Motion styling which has been evident on numerous Mazda models such as the Mazda-6 and CX-5 and has emphasized strong, accented edges in a free-flowing form, Single Motion aims to eliminate edges. Instead, it will focus intensely on light and shadows, which leads to reflections on smooth surfaces that are always changing. Considered a very futuristic look, Ikuo believes this will result in a fresh, futuristic look for all Mazda vehicles, and will in essence reestablish the company's brand identity to a whole new generation of buyers like yourself.

Skyactiv Over Electrification

In another interesting development that has many of today's drivers very excited, Mazda has chosen to continue its pursuit of more efficient combustion engine technology, rather than jump on the electric car bandwagon like many other auto manufacturers. If you're wondering just what encompasses Skyactiv technology, the major components of it include:

--Reinforced lightweight engines and transmissions

--Cleaner and more efficient emissions

--Chassis and suspension systems providing better fuel economy

This technology, which will improve vehicle performance while helping the company create stunning cars that further exemplify the Mazda brand identity, is one of the cornerstones Ikuo believes will prove Mazda is an innovator within the automotive industry, and will continue in that capacity for the foreseeable future.

A Fun Experience

If you are like most drivers of today's vehicles, you want your experience behind the wheel to be fun, exciting, and filled with the latest technology. Fortunately, if you are a lover of Mazda vehicles, Ikuo Maeda shares your vision and passion. Whether it's the RX-8 or the Mazda Kai, there's no doubt big changes are in store for those of you who slip behind the wheel of a Mazda for a trip down the open road. As the new guardian of Mazda's famed "zoom-zoom" reputation, Maeda is a car buyers's dream when it comes to auto executives. As a car lover first and foremost, he is determined you will have fun behind the wheel, no matter which Mazda you may be driving.