Episode4-2　Development of EFI

Does our work
bring smiles
to people?

1966, the world's first restrictions on exhaust emissions came into effect in the US state of California. 
The demands made of automobiles were increasing due to worsening air pollution, and car manufacturers began to respond in a serious way.
The main trend at the time was to add emission-control devices that sacrificed fuel economy and travel performance.
However, DENSO engineers had their sights set farther into the future.

Giving thought to what kind of technical innovations would become necessary 
in the future, and preparing radical responses 
in advance of the customer 
– this precisely is DENSO's duty.

The answer they came up with was to develop electronic fuel injection (EFI).
EFI is capable of freely controlling the engine, and so it can meet next-generation restrictions without impairing either fuel economy or travel performance.
The best way to ensure its spread throughout the industry, not surprisingly, would be to have Toyota use it. 
At that time, however, EFI had no track record at all, and its unit cost was high. 
Toyota was hesitant.
However, even if the current technology was simply extended out of fear of the risks, emission restrictions were growing stricter year by year, and eventually an impasse would be reached.

"Without a doubt, the day will come 
when EFI is the mainstream." 
What is it that has value for society? 
DENSO kept the company's sights fixed 
on this one point.

As the number of units in the market increased, the cost would fall. 
The first thing that was needed was to obtain an understanding of the advantages.
The developers at that time drafted a proposal, then immediately purchased a Toyota car. 
They swapped out the parts in-house, creating a demonstration vehicle equipped with EFI. 
They did this so that the performance could be experienced on an actual car.
The difference in performance became apparent to Toyota's development team as soon as they got in the demo vehicle. 
The proposal was readily accepted by Toyota.
"Even for a single component, we consider, measure, and evaluate the entire system that the automobile represents." 
DENSO's own original philosophy brought forth a crowning achievement – EFI.
Then, in 1972, the Corona Mark II equipped with DENSO's EFI went on sale.
What they held close in their hearts through myriad struggles and difficulties was
the passionate desire to further enhance the appeal of automobiles even while resolving one of their negative aspects, and deliver the highest quality to the customer.

By turning the imagination to people 
who do not ride cars
and even to the thinking of people 
in the far-off future, 
the destination we gaze upon 
with the customers’ perspective grows
ever higher and further.

The Spirit Connected with This Episode

Spirit 1

CredibilityQuality First

Ensure the best quality for our customers

Spirit 2

ForesightVision

Anticipate change

Spirit 3

ForesightCreativity

Create new values

Spirit 4

ForesightChallenge

Overcome difficulties

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Episode 4-1　
Expanding the Services from
When the Company Was Established

Are we continuing to address
customer expectations with every effort?

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