MVS–Royal Oak Team Has Two New Reasons to Celebrate:
New Part—First Export to Japan
by: Pete Halvorson, Director New Domestic Sales, MacLean Vehicle Systems
posted: August/September 2006

Project for New Part Reflects Promise for the Future
In just under eight months, the product development and engineering teams at Royal Oak were able to design, prototype, test and launch a new stainless steel capped wheel nut with a free-spinning washer (part number 40224-JK00A).

In July, Takashi Sasaki, Quality Foreman from the Nissan Tochigi Plant
in Japan, conducted a full audit of MVS–Royal Oak and several sub-suppliers. Royal Oak received approval to supply our stainless steel capped wheel nut to Nissan’s flagship assembly plant. This wheel nut will be applied to the Infinity G35 coupe/sedan and Skyline (Japanese market). Estimated value of this project is $960M/year. Product started shipping in June 2006. Vehicle production begins in August 2006. A special thanks for an outstanding effort to Mike Dimbleby, Ben Ancona, Doug Cook, John Hunter, Adam Thatcher, and Larry Wilson.

Continuing Relationship a Reality
This part is currently being considered for the new Altima Coupe, the next generation Maxima, other platforms in North America, and additional platforms in Japan. The Royal Oak team received a prototype purchase order for a trial for this part for the 350Z, in North America, and the Fairlady Z in the Japanese market. Production is scheduled for 2008. The trust that was developed throughout this project’s initial process among Nissan-Technical Center, Japan, Renault-Nissan Purchasing Organization (RNPO), and MacLean Vehicle Systems has been very positive. The Mundelein team has been asked to quote chrome plated wheel nuts for export to Japan—another significant program.

First Export Wheel Nut to Japan
Part Number 40224-JK00A represents Royal Oak’s first export to Japan. It is
the result of strong teamwork between the MVS–Japan office, thanks to
Shu Yabucchi, General Manager, Yoshi Tagawa, Director, Global Business Development, and the Royal Oak Team. The Royal Oak team is proud to be part of this new product’s development success and to have the opportunity to take part in the first export wheel nut to Japan by Royal Oak.