Douglas Fir wrote:

Hi Paul,

I had a good chat with the young 35 ish VP  Mr. Masuda.  Turns out he is
handling domestic sales in Southern Japan now.  Probably working his way up
and through the different corporate divisions.

He promised to give your turbo compound rendering plus a report I wrote
about the concept, to the engineers today.  They will contact me soon.

 I told him I am looking to acquire an engine to start testing some ideas in
the autumn and had lots of questions for the engineers.  He was quite
enthusiastic when he realized I hadn't approached the engineers yet.  In any
case I found him very open and receptive so I told him  that there are quite
a few aviation buffs around the world that believe Mazda's rotary engine is
so superior that they are putting it in their aircraft. I stressed the fact
that many of the ACRE members were responsible engineers and very talented
people and were discovering new ways to improve the engine all the time. In
short it is a GOOD THING to have a relationship with people who are bringing
Mazda's engines to new heights:) Hopefully it will be the start of a long
relationship.  He will be coming up to my city in September to see some of
the environmentally friendly projects we have completed at our Institute.
After his visit my wife and I will go down to the Mazda headquarters.
Meanwhile I will try to meet some of their engineers. Probably in Tokyo.

Other topics discussed related to marketing.

Hydrogen hybrid car release in 2008 ..... not likely.

The all aluminum engine....... no time soon,  doesn't appear they are
considering it at all.

Free case of Sapporo beer in the trunk of each RX-8 going to Australia. Just
kidding George,  we all know one case isn't near enough:)

Ford Motor Co.....  Ford has been lowering their stake in Mazda over the
last few months.  Ford is still the number 2 shareholder though.

Final analysis?  Very good start, Yes, I think, Maybe.

Doug in Japan

Don't forget to ask for a tour of the amazing engine factory. Please take a 
bunch of pictures wherever you are allowed. Mine are not that great.

I am sure glad to see Ford is getting out of it. My impression is Ford Corp. is
so large it suffers from committee-itus to the point of paralysis.

I am ready willing and able to go again to Japan.

I sure hope they do something to improve the BSFC. I am worried about
the future.

Paul Lamar
 
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