All for a smile

Honda wants to keep the design and technology people-centric .

Jnaneswar Sen, Senior Vice President- Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd , at the launch of Mobilio, in Chennai. Photo : Bijoy Ghosh

If it is about design, surely, cars nowadays are experimenting. There is a race in which each manufacturer is trying to come up with something new. Some offer Fluidic design while some offer H design. Here is what Jnaneswar Sen, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. has to say about the company’s evolving Man Maximum Machine Minimum philosophy.

What is the design philosophy of Honda?

Honda’s design philosophy is inspired by the ideas of individuals, taking the lead with original technology, creating new frames, and new styling to present to the customer. Honda offers mobility worldwide, sharing joy with all kinds of people. We innovate in shape and colour, and much more. For Honda, the challenge of styling design runs deep.

Trace the evolution of design technologies over the period of time?

The Global Creative Director system was initiated in April 2013. We wanted to establish Honda’s very own ‘design identity’ and create unique, outstanding designs both swiftly and with continuity. In this way, we hope to strengthen the Honda brand. The GCD’s primary role is in the creative aspects of design; the GCD is responsible for design creations and proposals. Also, in order to provide stylish exterior and extensive interior space Honda has been evolving the Man Maximum Machine minimum philosophy to the next level to generate greater interior space.

How much of an important role does design of a car play in the sales?

Design does play a very important role in the car purchase trend. Customers always want to buy stylish and a well-designed product (exterior and interior both). In addition it should be such that it makes people’s lives more enjoyable and more convenient.

Honda is known for innovation and new thinking. What new changes Honda is up with in its design?

The “Exciting H Design!!!” concept stems from our desire to make Honda cars thoroughly exciting, sporty, and surprising. For this reason, we have chosen three key words that, together, combine to form our slogan, Exciting H Design!!! That is High-tension, High-touch and High-tech. High-tension means striving to do daring things that people don’t normally do, with lots of enthusiasm.

High-touch means making things that appeal to our five senses; things that feel good to touch, and that make us feel positive. High-tech doesn’t simply mean that we use the latest technology; rather, it means that we use technology in a people-centric manner, and make our customers happy.

How difficult it is in today's competitive era to come up with new and fresh designs?

First and foremost, the design must be people-centric; that is to say, it must make people’s lives more enjoyable and more convenient. In addition, this design must be beautiful. A key characteristic of Honda’s design process is that the package layout functions are overseen by the design team. This means that, in the development process, the most significant features are incorporated directly into the design. Since the most important concepts are entrusted to the design team, its significance cannot be overestimated.