(2) Overview of Challenge Co., Ltd.

  Established in 1970, Challenge was a pioneer in the design, production, and processing of CFRP parts for race cars, beginning its work with CFRP in the mid-1980s. In the heyday of Japanese automakers’ participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship series, one year the final of the Le Mans 24 Hour Race featured an astonishing nine cars produced by Challenge, out of a total line-up of 42.

  The company has built a solid track record of using conventional processing methods to create automotive parts with prepreg, including Japan’s first mass production of a CFRP component, a diffuser for the Nissan Skyline GT-R, in 1998.

  Through testing and trial and error, Challenge has amassed a wealth of expertise in using CFRP for automotive parts and materials, with a focus on autoclave processing, which makes the most of CFRP characteristics. The company’s key strength is its solid record of achievements backed by technical capabilities in CFRP design, development, production, and quality control.

  Challenge is a CFRP manufacturer capable of consistent production throughout every step in the manufacturing process, from design to clay modelling, NC model processing, manufacture of molded products, mounting of parts and body components, and completion inspections.

  Created to showcase the use of CFRP parts and materials, the MOMA CL01-M concept car produced by Challenge transfers genuine Japanese race car technology to a road vehicle, in order to offer a sports car packed with the company’s technical expertise in everything from design and mounting to final inspection (Figure 1).

• Mitsubishi Chemical's Carbon Fiber & Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics Special Site[別窓表示]

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