Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its establishment on May 25, 1922. In tandem, the organization announces the release of a next generation concept car, AKXY2 (pronounced “ax-ee”), that it says reimagines how values for sustainability, satisfaction and society will influence the needs of future mobility on the road to automation and electrification in a changing society.
The concept car is equipped with value-adding technologies that exemplify how Asahi Kasei’s 100 years of collective innovation across the material industry is contributing to present and future mobility, Asahi Kasei says.
“Aside from advancements in legislation, evolving demands from customers are causing OEMs to tear down existing processes in favor of safer, more comfortable and more sustainable vehicles, convincing diverse end users they are answering these demands,” said Heiko Rother, general manager of automotive business development at Asahi Kasei Europe. “We need to act fast. Our recent survey from November 2021 shows that 50% of car users in the four major automotive markets – the USA, Germany, Japan and China – will choose a different brand to the one they currently own. The materials used in the car are a key enabler for multiple differentiating factors and user experience beyond drivetrain or driving performance – whether visible or not.”
The AKXY2 concept car demonstrates the cross-divisional expertise of Asahi Kasei throughout the entire value chain, from raw materials and production technologies to the usage of recycled and recyclable materials, while addressing the changing regulations and evolving needs of car users, the company says. Virtually everything that can been seen, touched or felt in the vehicle is either manufactured or co-developed by Asahi Kasei. The car features materials and solutions that touch the senses, improve safety and ensure the highest functionality while reducing its environmental impact. The concept of the vehicle is driven by a theme of “3 S’s”: Sustainability, Satisfaction and Society.
One of the core concepts of AKXY2 considers the role cars will play in our changing society, says Asahi Kasei. The car will become more than just a means of transportation – it will be a place to socialize with friends and family, much like the patio of a home. The company says it explored how the automobile can be a platform of inspiration for our future society.
