Jonathan Freer judged Russian designers
Jonathan Frere judged Russian designers Jonathan Frere judged Russian designers
ZR: Jonathan, since 2009 you have been working at the Mazda European Design Studio, which is located in Frankfurt. Are there any plans, following the example of neighbors from Kia, to develop a car specifically for the European market?
Jonathan Freer: The European studio is not very big - only 10 designers work, so we do all the projects together with design studios in California and Yokohama. But the main decisions are made by headquarters in Japan. So this is a question rather to them.
ZR: Mazda, like most Japanese manufacturers, produces some models only for the local market. These are mainly small city cars, which are also popular in Europe. In your opinion, is it worth adapting one of the Japanese compacts for the European market?
Jonathan Freer: Models made for the Japanese market will not necessarily be in demand worldwide. In addition, most of the cars that you are talking about are “key cars,” built specifically to meet the requirements of Japanese law. And then, those models that Mazda sells around the world (Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6) are selling well in Japan. But we always work on what was not before.
ZR: What car, in your opinion, is missing in the global Mazda lineup?
Jonathan Freer: I think that we would not be in the way of a crossover smaller than the CX-5.
ZR: Something like a Nissan Juke?
Jonathan Freer: Yes, roughly.
ZR: Tell me, what projects have you personally worked on in recent years?
Jonathan Frer: Anyway, I worked on all Mazda models: the previous generation of the Mazda3, the latest Mazda5, the current generation of the Mazda6. But he was especially closely involved in the Mazda6 MPS project: he developed a design concept.
Freder had a hand in the Mazda6 MPS
To the Mazda6 MPS, Freher had a hand in To the Mazda6 MPS, Freer had a hand
ZR: By the way, why is there no longer a charged “six” (Mazda6 MPS)?
Jonathan Freer: This is not a car for every day. Demand for it fell, and it is hardly worth releasing a model just for the sake of image. Moreover, the Mazda has a "treshka" MPS and, of course, the MX-5.
ZR: MX-5 - honored old-timer in the lineup. It has been produced since the late 80s, but outwardly it has not changed very much.
Jonathan Freer: Yes, the MX-5 for the Mazda is a bit like the 911 model for the Porsche. The first generation was very successful - and we decided not to go far from successful design.
ZR: And which Mazda models of past years are your favorite? And is there any idea to use something from Mazda’s past design in future models?
Jonathan Frer: I really like two Mazda sports cars - the Cosmo Sport from the 60s and the RX-7 of the early 80s. They have very clear sculptural forms.
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ZR: What about modern Mazda models? Any favorites?
Jonathan Freer: You know, for me, the newer the model, the better. After all, in the current model, you invest what you live now. Of course, that previous work is fading into the background.
ZR: How do you feel about restyling? Does the model always need him? Do not you think that sometimes restyling only spoils the perfect design?
Jonathan Freer: To produce one model without changes or with minor changes is an impermissible luxury for the automaker. After all, if you take too small steps, people get tired and switch to competitors' products.
ZR: What can you say about the design contest, the jury of which you lead?
Jonathan Frer: I was struck by the unity of opinion of the two juries: professional and spectator. Choosing the winners, we got the results of the voting of the audience. The distribution of the first three places completely coincided! Russian people surprisingly know exactly what they want in design, and Mazda owners know exactly what MX-5 they would like to be driving.
Professional jury agreed with Mazda owners
Professional jury agrees with Mazda owners Professional jury agrees with Mazda owners
