Q. Can you tell us about the work you’ve been involved in since joining Suzuki?
After I joined the company, I’ve been working on nothing but paints. Before I was transferred to the Automobile Division, I was involved in managing the quality of paints in the Motorcycle Division, where I was responsible for ensuring the standardisation of quality in mass produced motorcycle paints.
Q. What prompted you to transfer from the Automobile Division to the Motorcycle Division?
The section manager of the Paints Division, whom I used to work with at the motorcycle plant, transferred to become the section manager of the Production Technology Division.
This special and difficult colour had already been made for motorcycles, but we decided to develop it for automobiles, and the section manager reached out to me. I think I was contacted because a similar candy-like colour had already been developed for motorcycles.
Q. How did you feel about developing this new colour?
Discussions are held every year on new colours. The red candy-like colour and this special, new blue candy-like colour are said to be difficult to work with in cars. Of course, I didn’t feel bad about being asked to help develop such a challenging colour. I wanted to live up to his expectations more than I felt anxiety over it.
Q. What did you think when you heard the new colour would be blue?
Other companies had already succeeded in developing a red candy-like colour. Developing a new candy-like colour in blue was very demanding, requiring energy and technical skills.
I think other companies also strive to develop candy-like colours with the aim of showcasing their technical skills. That’s what inspired to Suzuki to try and develop a difficult blue paint, following red.
Other companies too, had been unable to realise their second or third candy-like colours. But if Suzuki were to succeed, it would show the world the true power of our technology, and that really inspired me.
Q. How are cars more difficult than motorcycles?
Cars have a larger surface area than motorcycles.
Some unevenness in colour may be tolerated in motorcycles because they don’t stand out. But they are more noticeable in cars, making them unacceptable. We had to reconsider our measures, and it’s also what we spent a lot of time on trying to resolve.
Q. I’ve heard it’s difficult to apply an even coating.
The coatings consist of two layers, which allow the colour to shine through. The first coating is silver, with another layer of translucent colour on top of that, but when this coating is thin, the silver shines through too strongly.
For example, it will make red turn pink, or blue turn light blue.
But when this layer is thick, it blocks the light, making red appear darker, or clouding the colour of blue, making them seem like different colours altogether.
A 1 or 2 micron difference can dramatically change the colour and appearance of what you’re aiming for, making it very difficult to control.
Q. I heard you acquired a patent for repairs, but what exactly was it?
These paints are generally quite difficult to repair.
Repair work requires the individual repainting of entire parts.
In the case of a door, you have to repaint the entire door.
A mass production process like this leads to delivery delays for customers.
But our method allows repainting to be carried out covering the same area and taking the same time as conventional colours. So, we focused on ensuring the same delivery time to avoid delays even for customers who choose this special colour.
We developed a material and method that would allow repairs
to be
made over small areas in a short time, and acquired a patent for it.
Q. What is the meaning behind this blue colour to you?
There was an Isle of Man TT Race in the UK, which Suzuki won for the first time.
We’ve continued using blue in all our motorcycle races since then.
Suzuki has now withdrawn from MotoGP too, but the blue used in these races was also extremely beautiful. Blue is a colour that’s always been close to my heart at Suzuki. So, I feel strongly for it more than any other colour.
Q. How are Suzuki’s candy-like colours better than those of other companies?
One thing I paid particular attention to was that when the door was opened, its inner side would be coated in the same paint, which you cannot find on other cars that I know of.
Both the red and blue are exactly the same on the inside as they are on the outside.
Showing the same beautiful colours from all directions is an attractive feature.
Q. Do you have any plans or ambitions for the future?
We mass produced red, then moved on to blue, but we’re making improvements to the technology to prevent the same issues from arising as they did with red.
This kind of difficult colour requires meticulous work. I think we’re contributing considerably to enhancing Suzuki’s coating technology.
I hope to continue taking on the challenges of these advanced coating techniques to not only boost the marketability of Suzuki’s products, but also significantly evolve our skills.
Q. What does the coating of automobiles mean to you?
The coating process involves a lot of work that goes unnoticed by customers. But among them, the colour coating is the most conspicuous part that serves to highlight this procedure.
At the coating factory, many people aspire to taking on its challenges, making it a coveted and admired process.
Q. What do you think is the role of colour in drawing out and accentuating the allure of cars.
When you look out across the world, there are few things that haven’t been painted. All kinds of things have colour.
Just as colouring has existed since the Stone Age, it plays a vital role in allowing people to assert their individuality through the making of choices.
Suzuki’s cars are available with an extensive lineup of colours.
This is because we believe colour reflects the character of every single individual. Our ultimate and eternal goal is to provide customers with the beautiful colours they seek, while ensuring stable quality.
