Tamiya and CADDi Host Inaugural Mini 4WD Championship for Manufacturers

Tamiya and CADDi Team Up for Mini 4WD Championship

On May 23, 2026, CADDi Inc., based in Taito, Tokyo, collaborated with Tamiya Co., headquartered in Shizuoka, to host the first-ever Mini 4WD Championship for manufacturers. This unique event brought together 30 executives and leaders from different manufacturing companies, allowing them to rediscover the essence and passion for craftsmanship through assembling, customizing, and racing Mini 4WD cars.

Overview of the Event

In an era where the manufacturing industry is rapidly advancing in efficiency and digital transformation, opportunities for hands-on experiences that reignite passion for creation can be hard to come by. With the theme "Playing Serious to Rekindle the Passion for Creation", this event aimed to foster networking beyond corporate roles and hierarchies.

Tamiya's unwavering commitment to conveying the joy of manufacturing through realistic experiences, along with CADDi's mission to unlock the potential of the manufacturing industry through digital transformation, formed the backbone of this collaborative initiative. Both companies joined forces to share the essence and future aspirations of craftsmanship.

Event Activities

Participants assembled Tamiya Mini 4WD kits by hand and recorded their base lap times during the initial measurements. Over lunch, teams discussed enhancement strategies, worked on customizations, and made adjustments under the guidance of Tamiya's technical staff. This led up to the gripping final races held on a three-lane official course, where individual and corporate champions were crowned.

Following the awards ceremony, Tamiya's President, Mr. Akira Tamiya, led a tour of the flagship facility, TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO.

Special Talk Session with President Tamiya

Mr. Akira Tamiya delivered a special address discussing Tamiya's history, core beliefs, and dedication to delivering excitement to users through model-making. He shared anecdotes from his visits to the U.S. for research on scale models, including the meticulous detail that goes into crafting F1 cars. He emphasized the significance of experiencing reality firsthand and translating that inspiration into the finer details of model designs.

His commitment to authenticity has earned him respect from global creators, including the late Soichiro Honda and prominent F1 designers.

Participant Feedback

Many attendees expressed how the friendly competition allowed them to recapture the joy of creating. One participant remarked, "Everyone became like children, feeling the fun of manufacturing again. I strongly resonated with Tamiya's philosophy."

Another shared, "Using Mini 4WDs to revisit the roots of craftsmanship deepened my understanding. Mr. Tamiya's talk about the company’s history and unwavering principles reminded me of the importance of having strong values in a rapidly changing world."

Looking Ahead

This inaugural event marks the beginning of an ongoing series, with plans for future gatherings that will incorporate even more companies and teams. The connections forged at this event have established a foundation for collaborative experiences ahead.

About CADDi's AI Data Platform

CADDi is a manufacturing AI data platform designed to analyze and relate data across engineering and supply chains, deriving insights to elevate production activities and decision-making. By leveraging manufacturing expertise along with the power of AI and technology, CADDi transforms scattered data and experiences into valuable assets to enhance competitive edge.

About CADDi, Inc.

CADDi, Inc. is a global startup dedicated to "unlocking the potential of the manufacturing industry". By capitalizing on fragmented data and experiences, the company provides a foundational platform for executive decision-making and execution with its manufacturing AI data products. With applications like CADDi Drawer and CADDi Quote, the company aims to deliver substantial impact on management levels. Operating in Japan, the U.S., Vietnam, and Thailand, CADDi is committed to driving global transformations in the manufacturing sector.