automotive education in Japan?

[eddyz]

I have always been interested in cars, expecially with Honda, and most import cars. I am planning on taking either a IT program or engineering program here in Canada, but it seems there is very little in terms of hands on experience and work in the automotive industry here. I was wondering if anyone here on the forums has had experience or is currently in an automotive related path in Japan? How is it? will it be better to learn over in Japan than here in Canada?

My future goal is to either work with Toyota or Honda in the safety engineering department, but in Canada, the only automotive program we have is in the technican area.

[Masa the Masta]

Well the only way I imagine you could do something like that is to start off with an engineering degree, and maybe be a certified automotive technician and have a resume..??

Just a start. My friend is going to be ASE certified here in the U.S as an automotive technician. It's 2 years of either car school or in the field, then take the ASE test. He's planning on getting into actual racing though. He likes imports, but from what I've heard, it's VERY difficult to actually get into designing the actual cars. There was once a guy who went to Wyotech in Sacramento California, after getting his B.A in engineering who tried to get into this engineering place for Honda in Torrance California, and basically they told him to not waste his time, just because of how cutthroat I guess the entire thing was.

[CoryInJapan]

Ive never took any auto classes in japan but since you are into imports you might as well give it a go and learn from the people who make the cars your into.Plus If your on this website obviously you are into the japanese culture then I think it would be great if you went to japan for thoughs classes.


Oh and maybe the usa would be good for you if for some reason you cant take classes in Japan

[eddyz]

i am planning on taking a degree first then gonna see if i can get on with anything in life with the degree. if not, im probbly gonna take an automotive technician program here in canada *BCIT*.

i know i probbly wont have the skills to become the car designer type. but i want to work in the Honda factory or other import car companies.

[japanat]

I would NOT try to train in Japan. The laws here are really hard-core about licensing. My buddy in high school was changing out his leaf springs, rigging new shocks, etc, on his own. He'd be busted here in Japan for doing the same thing.

Basically, Japanese car enthusiasts who aren't licensed mechanics cannot legally change anything on their car other than cosmetic body work. That's why all the car clubs (which are often semi-yakuza), have the vans with the outlandish wings and spoilers, and the fiberglass rear deck from hell (doesn't make sense to put a 1-yd-deep tail on your van if it's too flimsy to use...). They can't do anything else, and can't even get the parts w/o risking the law.

Maybe you should train in Canada or the US, then try to break in to the area in Japan. Besides, every Japanese auto maker has both production and design in the US, because many of the models sold Stateside aren't even available in Japan, or have radically different structure. Steel I-beam door construction is a good example: in Japan? Nope, peels open like a grapefruit in even low-speed accidents. Most cars built in Japan, for the Japanese market, cannot be imported into the US, even for your personal use (like if I moved back Stateside, I wouldn't have any choice - I'd have to dump the car before moving). I'd talk to Honda, US before I tried Honda, Japan.

[stsparky]

The place to approach is the design labs that are in Southern California - the name was CALTY I think. That was the Toyota one. Email their PR departments and express your interest. Ask them who you should contact. Nissan is in the process of moving from California to some godawful place in Tennesee ...

[CoryInJapan]

yeah I was kinda thinkin the U.S. might be better.IDK about canda since Ive never been there.

[stsparky]

Calty Design Research, Inc. (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/design-rd/design_loc_calty.html)
2810 Jamboree Road
Newport Beach, CA 92660 4400 Goss Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Established 1973

Facility Site:
85,000 Sq. Ft. - Calty NB
32,000 Sq. Ft. - Calty AA
Current Investment*: $21.5 million (Calty NB, only)
Employment*: 55
Design Projects: Calty has contributed exterior styling concepts for:
2004 FTX concept
2004 LFC Concept
2003 Lexus HPX Concept
Toyota FJ Cruiser concept
2002 Toyota Matrix
2001 Toyota RSC concept
Toyota RAV4
2000 Toyota Celica
Toyota Avalon
1999 Toyota Solara
1997 Toyota Prius
Solara convertible concept
1995 Tokyo Motor Show FLV
Toyota Tacoma
1991 Lexus SC400
1990 Toyota Previa
Toyota Celica
1989 International Design Expo MX21
1985 Tokyo Motor Show FXV-2
1979 Toyota Hilux
Tokyo Motor Show FXV
1978 Toyota Celica
1977 Tokyo Motor Show F100

Operations: Calty provides innovative design solutions for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles and supports North American production with color, trim and wheel design. Project activities include:

· Research
· Experimental concepts
· Advanced design
· Competition design
· Production design

* As of December 2003 ----
Toyota Technical Center, USA, Inc.
For more than 25 years, Toyota Technical Center (TTC) has been the driving force behind Toyota’s North American Engineering and Research and Development activities, overseeing the design and development of vehicles. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, TTC is engaged in engineering design, prototype building, vehicle evaluation, evaluation and design of parts and materials, regulatory affairs, emissions certification and technical research.

Throughout our North American facilities TTC is committed to utilizing teamwork to bring all facets of the TTC operation together. TTC is widely regarded as Toyota’s leading technical center outside Japan.

Contact Information (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/index.html#ci)
News Releases (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/index.html#nr)
Directions to TTC (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/index.html#m)
Photo Gallery (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/index.html#pg)
TTC in the Community (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/index.html#com)
Philanthropy (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/index.html#phil)

CONTACT INFORMATION
For media inquiries or employment information, click here. (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/contact.html)
NEWS RELEASES
Fact Sheet (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/factsheet.html)
April 22, 2005 - Toyota Fuel Cell And Hybrid Vehicles Make State Capitol Debut (http://www.toyota.com/about/news/environment/2005/04/22-1-fuelcell.html)
April 12, 2005 - Toyota Technical Center, USA Inc. Signs Purchase Agreement for York Township Property (http://www.toyota.com/about/news/corporate/2005/04/12-1-ttc.html)
December 3, 2004 - Toyota to Create Consolidated R&D and Manufacturing Operations (http://www.toyota.com/about/news/manufacturing/2004/12/03-1-tema.html)
August 16, 2004 - Toyota Technical Center, USA, Inc. Submits a Bid for York Township Property (http://www.toyota.com/about/news/environment/2004/08/16-1-ttc.html)
May 14, 2004 - Toyota's Calty Design Opens Satellite Studio in Ann Arbor (http://www.toyota.com/about/news/corporate/2004/05/14-1-calty.html)

DIRECTIONS TO TTC
For our address and directions to Toyota Technical Center's Headquarters in Ann Arbor, click here (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/maps.html).
PHOTO GALLERY
To view our latest photos, click here. (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/photogallery.html)
TTC IN THE COMMUNITY
To read about our latest efforts in the community, click here. (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/community.html)
PHILANTHROPY
To read our philanthropy guidelines and download our application, click here. (http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/ttc/philanthropy.html)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann Arbor is closer to Canada. Lots ... and a likelier cheaper place to live.

[Fumi]

If you are interested in the engineering side of the auto industry, you'll need to get an engineering degree, preferably mechanical or aerospace engineering. Study hard and get very good grades so one of the auto makers will take you in for internship.

I can't stress hard enough that if you are not interested in math and physics, engineering is not for you. Engineering courses have nothing to do with cars and everything to do with math and physics. You won't find any automotive related courses in your engineering degree program. I learned it the hard way.

I really don't think it'll be better to learn it in Japan, since you'll be just doing the same engineering courses, only in a language that (I presume) is unfamiliar to you.