The Epicurean Adventures
Recently some suspicious activities have been spotted at various places. It's hedonism, but hedonism in search of quality.
"Another Quality Story" The Epicurean Adventurers3:39
We're
at
a
car
dealership
on
the
weekend.
There's
a
man
sometimes
standing,
sometimes
squatting,
doggedly
gazing
at
the
cars.
At
the
television
section
of
an
electronics
store,
one
man
scrutinizes
the
backs
of
the
LCD
TVs
one
by
one,
a
satisfied
expression
materializing
on
his
face.
Both
scenes
have
a
slightly
mysterious
air.
Or
there's
the
man
in
the
department
store,
carefully
stroking
clothes,
examining
the
fabric
and
tags.
His
level
of
concentration
is
impressive,
but
just
what
Eureka
moment
is
he
searching
for
in
a
fashion
boutique?
They're
not
shopping,
though
they
are
thoroughly
probing
the
products.
They
touch
things
almost
like
they
are
memorizing
how
it
feels.
Their
faces
are
serious,
yes,
yet
also
a
bit
suspect.
But
hold
up
before
you
go
and
get
security.
These
people
are
researching
what
gives
something
a
"good
vibe".
They
are
Nissan's
"epicureans".
The headlamp of a Nissan PATROL
PQ enhances feelings of good performance, craftsmanship and luxury in the headlamp of a Nissan PATROL. In this way a sense of quality appealing to human sensibilities is created.
When
you
see
a
vehicle
you
may
think,
"Wow,
that's
a
well-made
and
classy
car!"
Or
that
moment
when
you
sit
in
the
seat
and
feel,
"Hmm,
this
is
comfy."
True
quality
in
a
car
calls
on
our
human
sensibilities.
A
car
is
not
just
about
its
driving
performance.
It's
also
about
that
instinctive
feeling
of
"Yeah!"
you
get
with
a
vehicle.
This
is
Perceived
Quality.
And
it's
a
brave
band
of
brothers,
the
Perceived
Quality
Department,
whose
task
it
is
to
seek
out
that
feeling
and
raise
the
bar
on
vehicle
satisfaction.
Those
mysterious
sightings
we
introduced
at
the
start?
Well,
that's
just
a
typical
scene
in
the
working
life
of
these
researchers,
devoted
even
in
their
everyday
life
to
finding
which
materials
feel
best
from
the
perspective
of
the
customer,
or
with
what
kind
of
stitching
you
can
feel
the
level
of
quality
in
the
product.
In
addition
to
their
observations,
they
also
photograph
other
cars
and
study
the
giant
images.
It's
their
epicurean
task
to
find
the
value
that
appeals
to
our
sensibilities,
often
casting
their
eyes
on
those
places
we
don't
consciously
look
at:
A
radiator
grille,
panel
welding,
or
even
instrument
panels.
Based on their research they create values for quality higher than other makers', digitize it, and set target values, the "PQ Score", for each car under development. In the wake of all the pressure from the conditions of material and layout, as a car gets closer to production vehicle level, the PQ Score may drop below the criteria. That's when the Perceived Quality Department gets the call. Holding conferences with the design and manufacturing teams they present solutions that still retain a PQ Score standard better than competitors'. With their ten years plus of PQ research under their belts they can always pinpoint the most sentient of panaceas.
The PATROL's speedometer
The PATROL's speedometer feels classy and easy to read thanks to its symmetrical layout, font type and white coloring.
But PQ research doesn't just stop when the model goes on sale. The PQ Score is assessed and verified according to the response of customers, as the criteria are made to anticipate a new car coming onto the market years from now. The epicureans specialize in creating future values based on their experience and know-how built up over a long time. From planning through to the post-sales period, the PQ team constantly keeps watch on cars from the perspective of PQ.
We can notice the results in the Nissan PATROL. Take a look at the vehicle's headlamp and you'll see the way in which PQ was used to produce a sense of quality and luxury. You can really feel the brightness of the main beam and the light appears like it will shine far off into the distance. The concave-convex texture and knurled design render an impression that is premium, sophisticated.
The symmetry in the PATROL's speedometer is the secret for why it is so easy to read, with the equal spacing between the scales allowing you to immediately understand the display. The font type and white coloring also look classy. But this is only one example. In fact, PQ is being integrated into every Nissan car.
The unusual epicureans we spotted at the start are checking the backs of televisions because it's part of their quest to look at all the details, even where we can't see, never cutting corners in their mission to make the best. Even with clothing, you acquire a sense of product quality from the level of stitching in the garment.
Epicureans always seek out values that our sensibilities demand, never satisfied with the status quo. Endlessly on the look out for quality, for luxury, for the best - the off-shot is that they say they just can't make regular shopping purchases anymore, since they judge products so strictly! However, it's thanks to this sense of constant inquiry they have that Nissan's quality is forever advancing. Serious, methodical and astute. They are the epicurean adventurers.