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Vol.9: 10, August 2006
Tomohiko Izumi - Customer Service for a most Discerning Clientele
The job of supplying cars to specialist rally preparation companies and customer teams all around the globe is a daunting task. Coordinating efforts and making sure everything runs smoothly - as well as keeping customers happy during the heat of the season requires the smooth and capable skills of a true professional.
For Tomohiko Izumi, STI's Group N Customer Teams' liaise person (Group N Teams Sales Manager), its all part of a day's work. Tomo works as the link between STI and the preparation companies and teams that run the IMPREZA spec C in championships in all corners of the world. Group N Journal caught up with Izumi-san in Tokyo recently, and got the inside scoop on what makes his job so rewarding.
GNJ: Tomo, your role as liaise person between STI and the teams running the spec C IMPREZA must be an interesting one. What's the most exciting part of your job?
Tomohiko Izumi: "For sure the most exciting part is the fact that I deal with our customer teams, located all over the world. The main focus is on their Group N activities and to that end I work directly with Tommi Makinen Racing, Top Run, and of course Prodrive. These companies represent operators who are at the top of their game, and their requirements can be demanding. It's a position I love, and the challenges are both interesting and unique."
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Tell us a little about your routine activities. What happens on a typical day in the office?
"My role involves the sale and service of both rally cars and car parts to our customers. Being able to respond to our client teams' needs in a quick and comprehensive manner is extremely important. Oftentimes, a client will require specialized parts or components in a hurry, and it's imperative that we are able to get those to them within the necessary timeframe."
How long have you been in this role?
"This is my third year as Group N Teams Sales Manager. I've been in the position since the start of the 2004 season."
In your time on the job, what changes or developments have you seen?
"There have been a number of changes, but the main difference is in the overall sales figures of our Group N challenger, the spec C IMPREZA. When I started in 2004, we were selling approximately 50 Group N cars per season. The spec C was introduced for 2005 and that year, sales rose to 150 units. This year we have sales of over 200 units of the spec C. It is a huge increase, and a testament to the appeal of the car to both teams and drivers."
What do you attribute to this very strong sales growth - particularly over such a short period?
"There are two reasons for this: The first is the car itself. This is the most highly-developed of all variants of the WRX, the most advanced offering from Fuji Heavy Industries and STI. In sporting terms, the spec C has consistently
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been winning since its introduction, and this also drives sales. The second reason is the support available to competitors: In Europe, our main market for the car, preparation companies including Tommi Makinen Racing, Top Run and Prodrive provide the ultimate in terms of support for teams running the car. This allows teams to compete in the most confident atmosphere possible. One additional factor can be attributed to the sales increase: the LHD kit now available to teams. Of the 200 units we've sent out in the twelve months to April 2006, 120 of those have opted for the Left Hand Drive conversion kit. We believe this is one more way of providing exactly what competitors are looking for."
What gives you the single greatest satisfaction in your job?
"Many aspects of my job are very satisfying; so it would be difficult to pick just one. Clearly, I love motor sports and everything about rallying. Plus, the people I work with are extremely dedicated and hard-working. This type of environment really drives my ambition and job performance. Also, the fact that competitors from countries all around the world run our cars successfully is extremely pleasing. For example, I often come in to the office and have emails or faxes from various places such as Hungary, Australia, Poland, Russia, Spain, U.S. etc. all celebrating wins and strong finishes - and thanking us. This gives me an absolutely fantastic feeling. I love coming to work."
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