Continuously Innovating in the Automotive World, Daihatsu Presents the Daihatsu Research & Development Center in Indonesia
Until now, Daihatsu remains consistent in maintaining and developing the automotive market in Indonesia. Not only as a mere "market," Daihatsu Indonesia also serves as a "think tank" for global products. This is evidenced by the existence of the Research & Development Center Daihatsu located in Karawang, West Java. Not just a Facelift, in 2019, it is hoped that Daihatsu Indonesia can already develop new products in the market.
Principal (Daihatsu Motor Corporation) entrusts technology experts to the sons and daughters of Indonesia for the future of the automotive industry. This is a form of trust from the principal and the capability of Indonesian human resources in developing the automotive industry.
The establishment of the Research & Development Center emphasizes Daihatsu's commitment to developing the automotive industry in Indonesia. Thus, this design capability can be transferred to the sons and daughters of Indonesia to meet the needs of the domestic and foreign industries," concluded Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia at the Daihatsu Factory in Karawang. The Daihatsu R & D facility occupies an area of 25 hectares. This area has been built since 2011.
There are 3 main areas in this Research & Development Center. The first is design. In the design area, all processes are carried out, starting from sketches, making mock ups with clay, to testing designs to meet market demands and fit into the realm of engineering. A series of processes must be undergone to produce a product in the market. Starting from Market Survey & Product Planning, Product Design, Product Engineering Design, Prototype Making, Prototype Testing, Production Tooling, Production Trial, Mass Production, to Sales & After Sales Services.
"The designs from each technician are combined one by one. Everything must go through a detailed process. Thus, the technical needs and designs from the designers can be harmonized before entering Engineering," said Pradipto Sugondo, Executive Officer Research and Development ADM.
Then it enters the Engineering section. Not just a concept, new products will be technically tested in this section. There are about 70 technicians ready to test in this laboratory, and there are various testing points like simulators. Starting from door designs, which are tested by opening and closing thousands of times. Then there is vibration simulation with a road simulator that tests the body strength. The car's hydraulic components are also tested with 2 million vibrations, equivalent to actual usage over three years.
The most interesting part is when the simulator tests temperature resistance, Thermal Chamber. New Daihatsu products must go through this process. At least, extreme temperature testing is conducted in this room. The strength of metal to plastic materials will experience extreme temperatures of minus 30 degrees to 80 degrees Celsius for a certain period.
Products that will be released to the market must pass a series of durability tests and the Research & Development Center Daihatsu so that they do not disappoint the friends of Daihatsu Indonesia.
