Akihide Takeuchi

SubaruDevelopment lead

PGM who directed development of the third-generation Impreza under the theme "the joy of driving for everyone"

Timeline

2007
Impreza 3rd generation
2007–2011Development lead
The Third Generation Turns to Five Doors
The third-generation Impreza, the first development Akihide Takeuchi led, dropped the earlier station-wagon style and changed dramatically into a stylish hatchback with a European flavor. From the discussion that what was expected of the Impreza, which had competed in the WRC since the first generation, was a car with the image of the five-door European cars at the top of motorsport, they steered toward five doors. But in the end, the biggest regret was falling behind on fuel economy. The engine and transmission were modified versions of existing units, and the automatic was still a four-speed. Making it compact gave the impression that the luggage space was small, and the parts of the interior materials that were cut back amid the strong yen and cost reductions were criticized for low quality. Takeuchi looks back that they fell far behind on the sense that even at a low price, quality must be high.
Subaru
Subaru
2011
Impreza 4th generation
2011–2016Development lead
"It Doesn't Fit. No Good"
For the fourth generation, building on the lessons of the third, Akihide Takeuchi structured development by working backward from the scene of explaining the car to customers. For example, when deciding the size and shape of the storage around the driver's seat, he asked where people put the things they always carry when they drive. Thinking it would be convenient if a wallet or phone could slip neatly into the recess of the door's inner handle, he had everyone try putting in their wallets, and they did not fit. Saying, "It doesn't fit. No good," he had it fixed. He also bought bottle-type chewing gum and, saying that if it didn't fit they should find another 5 mm somehow, reconciled the inner space with the design.
Dropping the Spare Tire
For the luggage space criticized on the third generation, the fourth generation remade the fuel tank and its attached parts and lowered the floor as much as possible. For Japan and Europe, the policy was changed to assume a small puncture repair kit and give even the space for the spare tire to the luggage area. There was debate over whether the spare tire could be dropped, but the deciding question was which would make customers happier: having a spare tire, or feeling that the luggage space was large enough to load things. Without room for doubt, it was decided to go without a spare tire, and the rear differential was also remade to lower the floor thoroughly.