Summary of major achievements

Researched automotive robotic control systems at Keio University Graduate School, publishing a paper on predictive control.

Joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1995 and served for 24 years in chassis design, cost planning, and product planning leadership. After leading chassis design for the Corolla series, spearheaded company-wide cost-reduction programs “CCC21” and “VI,” achieving annual cost savings of approximately ¥300 billion. Later, as part of the cross-functional “Project Z,” oversaw development of Lexus RX, NX, and UX models. Proposed the “SKY” development framework—precursor to Toyota’s TNGA—establishing the foundation of the Lexus SUV business, which now contributes roughly half of Toyota’s total automotive profit.

From 2019, served as Head of Hardware at GROOVE X, leading the successful commercialization and mass production of the pet-type home robot “LOVOT.”

Subsequently joined Changan Automobile as Vice President of Product Planning and Director of Overseas Markets, doubling overseas sales in two years (+57.3%, +37.4%) and expanding advanced driver-assistance systems into mass-market models to enhance brand competitiveness.

At Great Wall Motor, served as Chief Engineer for Technology Strategy Planning, achieving a 20% average cost reduction in major high-value components while redefining quality standards.

Founded Air Beans Inc. in 2024 and became CEO. Developed “AICOSTA,” an AI-driven cost-reduction support system integrating Toyota’s cost-planning methodology with AI technology, successfully introduced to Leaner Technologies. Now driving next-generation consulting that empowers manufacturing innovation and value creation through AI.

1. Major Achievements at Air Beans Inc.

1) Development of “AICOSTA” – AI-Powered Cost Reduction Support System

Founded Air Beans Inc. in 2024 and assumed the role of CEO.
With consulting for the automotive and manufacturing industries as its core business, the company combines cost-reduction methodologies cultivated at Toyota with advanced AI technologies.
As a result, AICOSTA, an AI-based cost-reduction support system, was developed.

AICOSTA instantly analyzes complex and time-consuming cost analyses and cost-reduction activities, identifying issues and proposing optimal solutions through AI.
This enables anyone, regardless of prior expertise, to execute cost-improvement tasks quickly and accurately—an area that previously depended heavily on specialized knowledge and experience.
AICOSTA has already been adopted by Leaner Technology Inc., and implementation in practical operations is underway.

2) Transforming Manufacturing Processes and Promoting Human–AI Collaboration

Beyond analytical support with AICOSTA, Air Beans is reengineering entire manufacturing processes—from planning and design to procurement, production, and sales—based on Toyota’s “Cost Field” philosophy.
Rather than applying AI independently to each domain, the company integrates them into an interconnected, collaborative framework where AI and humans work together to drive innovation in manufacturing.

This approach enables companies to achieve cross-functional problem solving and realize “cost reduction as a management strategy” through overall process optimization.

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2. Major Achievements at Great Wall Motor

From December 2024 to July 2025, served as Chief Engineer of Strategy Planning, assisting the CTO in formulating and implementing company-wide strategies to reduce cost, weight, and labor hours.
Within just six months, achieved an average 20% cost reduction in major high-value components.

Additionally, led a fundamental overhaul of the company’s quality standards and restructured the quality assurance process from development through mass production.
Promoted a total engineering reform that integrated improvements in cost, quality, and development efficiency.

These initiatives significantly strengthened Great Wall Motor’s global competitiveness and established a foundation for sustainable cost leadership in product development.

3. Major Achievements at Changan Automobile

From August 2021 to March 2024, served as Vice President of Product Planning and Director of Overseas Markets, leading Changan Automobile’s global strategy and product planning reform.

Oversaw planning and approval for five key brands—AVATR, DEEPAL, QIYUAN, CHANGAN, and KAICHENG—contributing significantly to the acceleration of electrification, intelligent mobility, and globalization initiatives.

1) Reform of Product Planning and Development Process

• Introduced driver-assistance systems to lower-priced models, enhancing overall brand competitiveness.
• Benchmarked Toyota and Western OEMs’ planning processes, while conducting in-house training and guidance for the product planning division.
• Shifted from the conventional “China-first” product export approach to a market-driven planning process that reflects overseas customer needs from the concept stage.

2) Optimization of Organizational Structure and Regional Strategy

• Reorganized overseas operations into multiple regional divisions, inspired by Toyota’s organizational model, clarifying each region’s responsibilities to establish a localized planning framework.
• Under the “Vast Ocean Plan,” established the Southeast Asia Business Division in July 2023 and five regional headquarters in January 2024, forming a region-led decision-making system.

3) Global Sales Expansion and Market Penetration

• Delivered keynote presentations on the Vast Ocean Plan at multiple international dealer conferences:
  • July 2022: Middle East Dealer Conference
  • April 2023: Mexico Dealer Conference
  • December 2023: Pakistan Dealer Conference
• Through these initiatives, achieved +57.3% overseas sales growth in 2022 and +37.4% in 2023, making Changan one of the fastest-growing Chinese automotive brands in overseas markets.

4) Promotion of Component Standardization and Electrification Strategy

• As a member of the Component Standardization Committee, led the approval of strategic scenarios involving autonomous driving, electrification, etc.
• Benchmarked Toyota and Western OEMs’ standardization systems to optimize Changan’s component architecture.
• Enhanced development efficiency and cost competitiveness by introducing process optimization and target management methodologies.

These achievements enabled Changan Automobile to gain a distinct competitive edge in global expansion and development speed. Hiroshi Inoue played a central role in building the strategic foundation that supports Changan’s transformation into a globally recognized brand.

4. Major Achievements at GROOVE X

As Hardware Product Owner (HWPO), oversaw all hardware domains—including development, design, procurement, and manufacturing—of the pet-type home robot “LOVOT.”

Successfully achieved both commercialization and mass production, which are often the most challenging milestones for hardware startups, thereby laying the foundation for business expansion. Led the integrated management of processes from product development through production launch, establishing a manufacturing system that optimized quality, cost, and delivery (QCD). Additionally, successfully launched production in China, achieving significant cost reduction and a stable supply chain structure.

Through these efforts, contributed to realizing a new lifestyle where technology compassionately supports people’s lives.

5. Major Achievements at Toyota Motor Corporation

1) Achievements in Lexus Int. Z (Product Planning Headquarters)

Served for nine years in the organization known as “Z,” which oversaw Toyota’s company-wide product portfolio.
Led the Lexus SUV projects, including the RX, NX, and UX, transforming them into a core business segment that accounts for approximately 50% of Toyota’s total automotive profit.

Proposed the “SKY Initiative,” an innovative approach that became the precursor to TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture), integrating cost reduction with development efficiency.
This initiative contributed to the success of the first-generation Lexus NX, enhancing the brand’s value and strengthening Lexus’s global competitiveness.

2) Achievements in the Product Planning Division (EQ Promotion & Cost Planning)

Spent eight years in the Product Planning Division, including three years in North America.
Promoted company-wide cost reduction initiatives “CCC21” and “VI Activity,” achieving approximately ¥300 billion in annual cost savings.

Proposed new methodologies for cost planning and, in his early 30s, directly reported to then-President Katsuaki Watanabe, demonstrating leadership that significantly contributed to Toyota’s corporate-level cost structure reform.

3) Achievements in Chassis Design Department

For the first seven years after joining Toyota, engaged in chassis design for the Corolla series.
Developed a new ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) structure to enable installation across all Corolla models—previously limited to only certain grades—achieving both major cost reduction and enhanced safety performance, contributing to a reduction in accident rates.

Through global Corolla development projects, established a collaborative engineering framework with suppliers in North America and Europe, helping Toyota achieve the world’s No.1 vehicle sales position.

6. Major Achievements at Keio University Graduate School

Conducted research on trajectory control of automobile-type robots.
By applying predictive control, achieved high-precision trajectory tracking that accounts for tire slip characteristics.
Compared with conventional methods, the proposed approach significantly improved vehicle posture stability and trajectory accuracy during cornering, contributing to advancements in intelligent vehicle control systems.