Subaru Impreza 4th generation (GJ)

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.

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.