Message from the President
It was not so very long ago in the mid 1950s when automobiles were a fascination for nearly everybody. It was a time that is firmly imprinted in my mind, with details such as the smell of the exhaust and the sound of engines that were not in the least bit quiet.
From that time, cars began to appear in every part of life, functioning as the lubricant of society, and are now the central industry responsible for Japan's economic development.
As a company supporting the automobile industry, with our primary business being strengthening the relationships between the customers and the manufacturers and dealers, ASWA has progressed together with this industry.
The automobile industry is now undergoing a great transitional period, and the same is true on the frontline of sales.
More than 4.3 million new passenger vehicles were registered in 1990, and since then forecasted demand has dropped with unexpected speed to 2.4 million. In general, demand forecasts for cars tended to decline less steeply than the contraction of the domestic market, however the sense of the Japanese economy in recession has made the situation even more difficult. Under these current conditions, the role of strengthening relationships with customers, which has been ASWA's business since its beginning, is coming under greater focus.
ASWA has always been focused on after-sales services. In particular, ASWA has provided proposals for dealer improvements which allow dealers to maintain the customer-first perspective and to extend their imaginations beyond the isolated ideas of buying and owning a car to understand the lifestyles needed to enjoy a car, and in doing so develop strong bonds with each individual customer.
ASWA will continue to maintain its knowledge and power of action and provide a diverse range of proposals for surviving in these times to our clients and to everyone in the automobile industry, aiming for the greater development of the industry.
Masakazu Sakurai, President
ASWA Co., Ltd.