Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan Motor Company has started production of the all-new Infiniti Q60 sports coupe at the company’s manufacturing facility in Tochigi, Japan.
The Tochigi plant has been producing Infiniti vehicles since the brand was launched in 1989. To meet the requirements of the new model, a series of upgrades have been made to the production line, and innovative manufacturing processes have been introduced.
To enhance quality control, a new lighting system for the inspection process and a camera and video system on the assembly line have been introduced. In a world’s first application, the trunk lid feature for Q60 is a hybrid combination of a resin skin on a steel frame.
One major enhancement to the Tochigi facility is a new dedicated paint booth, which has been installed solely to allow production of Q60’s new “Dynamic Sandstone Red” paint finish. The glossy, deep red finish requires a new painting set-up, using a combination of machinery and manual processes developed by Infiniti’s most senior coating experts.
Tochigi’s 216 highly-skilled Takumi (master craftsmen) were picked from the plant’s 4,500-strong workforce to work on the Infiniti production line. Takumi work across every section of the Q60’s production line, including stamping, body shop, paint, assembly and quality assurance.
From the Takumi employed to work on Infiniti production, a further 6 Meister Takumi are selected – those with the highest understanding of premium car production and the desires and expectations of Infiniti’s customers.