Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.
Having worked for a Japanese car company, I know that there are only two kinds of car builders: engineers and great engineers.
Thus, in an industry traditionally dominated by seasoned engineers and established automotive giants, KG Motors and its groundbreaking Mibot EV are particularly striking due to the unconventional background of its founder, Kazunari Kusunoki.
Far from the typical automotive engineer, Kusunoki carved his entrepreneurial path from the world of YouTube content creation.
Born in 1981, Kusunoki hails from Higashihiroshima, a suburban area in Japan characterized by its often-narrow streets. This upbringing instilled in him a profound, practical understanding of the challenges posed by conventional-sized vehicles in such environments. His observation that “cars are simply too big” for Japan’s urban and rural landscapes became the core philosophical underpinning of the Mibot.
He also keenly observed the decline of public transportation in many rural parts of Japan and the growing need for accessible, personal mobility solutions, especially for the nation’s aging population.
Kusunoki possesses no formal engineering background in automotive design or manufacturing. His strength lies not in developing intricate mechanical systems himself, but in his visionary leadership and exceptional ability to assemble a highly skilled team.
He has, amazingly, been able to both strategically (via his wide network) and tactically (from respondents and those who expressed interest to join his journey) recruited experienced professionals from major Japanese automotive companies, including specialists in body development, suspension systems, collision safety, and electric vehicle control. This collaborative model demonstrates that a clear market vision, even from an unconventional source, can be translated into a tangible and successful product by leveraging the right expertise.
Kusunoki’s prior experience as a YouTube content creator has significantly influenced KG Motors’ approach to public relations and customer engagement. The company openly shares video footage of the Mibot’s development, including rigorous tests on icy Hokkaido roads and vital crash safety evaluations. This transparency, directly stemming from a content creator’s mindset, fosters trust and a unique connection with potential customers, demonstrating the vehicle’s capabilities in a compelling and accessible way.
He has spoken about promoting the idea of the Mibot, not as a single solution, but as part of a greater number of solutions that can bring mobility based on need rather than on mass production.
Kazunari Kusunoki’s journey from digital content to automotive innovation serves as a powerful testament to how fresh perspectives and effective team-building can disrupt traditional industries and cater to niche market demands with remarkable success.
Sign up for CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and follow us on Google News!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Sign up for our daily newsletter for 15 new cleantech stories a day. Or sign up for our weekly one on top stories of the week if daily is too frequent.
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.
CleanTechnica’s Comment Policy
