Mazda and Nippon Steel collaborate on new CX-5 development

Mazda Motor Corporation and Nippon Steel Corporation announced they applied co-creation activities to develop the All-New MAZDA CX-5 crossover SUV, which Mazda unveiled in July. The collaboration resulted in an optimal body structure developed in a shortened timeframe.

The partnership incorporated Nippon Steel's "NSafe-AutoConcept ECO3" next-generation automobile concept and combined Mazda's model-based development with Nippon Steel's analysis technologies. The new CX-5 achieved a 10 percent reduction in steel weight compared to the previous model while maintaining body performance, including rigidity and collision safety.

Nippon Steel's involvement from early development stages enabled reassessment of the entire supply and value chain, including design, production, and procurement. The companies selected a Nippon Steel manufacturing plant located close to Mazda's vehicle assembly plant, simplifying the procurement structure and contributing to reductions in transportation costs and CO2 emissions.

The collaboration also resulted in inventory reduction in the supply chain, reduced geopolitical risks, stable supply, and indirect production cost reductions for both companies.

"Mazda has made great progress in advancing 'new manufacturing' through our co-creation activities with Nippon Steel Corporation," said Takeshi Mukai, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer and CSCO at Mazda. "As part of the second phase of our 2030 Management Policy, we are targeting cost reductions of 100 billion yen and improvements in fixed cost efficiency of an additional 100 billion yen."

Takashi Hirose, Executive Vice President and Representative Director of Nippon Steel, stated the companies are promoting collaboration in development of steel products and in design, processing, and mass production processes.

The companies plan to expand their collaboration scope to cover additional vehicle models with the goal of building a resilient supply and value chain across multiple model lines.

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