In Katsuda's case, the fourth-
generation RX was particularly
challenging. Katsuda, who joined
Toyota in 1985, having received a
degree in aeronautical engineering
(so presumably he knows more
than a little something about edges
and curves), worked on a number
of European models before getting
his frst chief engineer assignment
. . . on the third generation RX.
"That made working on the fourth
generation more difcult," he says.
"I had to refect on the current model
and identify points that needed to
be improved. I had to criticize all
the work that I had done for the
last model. It was not easy."
He admits, "There is an advantage
to knowing the car in depth so as
to make whatever changes that
needed to be made."
Still: "It is harder to criticize your
own work than when someone else
has developed a vehicle and you're
picking it up."
That said, they went to work and
AD&P; > December 2015 > FEATURE > 2016 Lexus RX: Creating the Fourth Generation > Gary S. Vasilash
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q Clearly, in order to create those folds and lines it was necessary to work very
closely with the manufacturing personnel in order to achieve them.