Japanese steel manufacturer Nippon Steel Corporation announced that it has teamed up with Japanese automaker Mazda Motor Corporation to apply their creative collaborations, redefining the traditional relationship between finished vehicle manufacturers and materials suppliers, to develop an all-new MAZDA crossover SUV. CX-5
Amid growing challenges in the auto industry—from electrification and digitalization to environmental goals and geopolitical risks—both companies are pioneering a “new manufacturing” approach based on horizontal collaboration and long-term value creation.
Co-creation Helps reduce costs and improve supply chain efficiency
In line with Mazda's Management Policy 2030, the company is committed to building a robust supply chain that eliminates inefficiencies across its entire production network. By involving Nippon Steel at the earliest stages of design, Mazda was able to quickly optimize the body structure, manufacturing and procurement processes.
The collaboration enabled the use of Nippon Steel's NSafe™-AutoConcept ECO³, the next automotive steel concept generation, combined with Mazda's model-based development tools. This has resulted in a 10 percent reduction in overall steel weight for the new CX-5 while maintaining rigidity, crash safety and ride quality.
Localized sourcing reduces costs and emissions
Mazda and Nippon Steel jointly reviewed the choice of steel material and logistics routes, choosing the Nippon Steel plant located near the Mazda assembly site. This change reduced transportation costs and carbon emissions, simplified procurement, minimized inventory and geopolitical risks, and increased supply stability.
Next stage: increased co-creation across multiple models
The partners plan to expand their collaboration to additional vehicle models, strengthening a value chain capable of delivering cost efficiency and technological innovation across all Mazda products. composition.
