HiQ combines expertise in simulation and interactive gaming to develop interactive training for Mazda Scandinavia

The IT and management consultancy HiQ is continuing to strengthen its customer offering so as to enable continued growth. In 2005 a new initiative was started to offer the market new solutions that combine HiQ’s unique expertise in simulation and interactive gaming. Within the framework of this new venture HiQ has developed interactive training for dealers within Mazda Scandinavia. The assignment will be completed in August 2006.

The order from Mazda resulted in the Zoom-Zoom School, an online game built around six different cunning assignments. The players are both investigative journalists and Mazda test drivers in Japan and Europe, making their way to the finish line in Scandinavia. “By combining educational games, competition and simulation the user gains useful knowledge of Mazda in a completely new way. The results of the assignments and the racing game are logged against a high score list and the dealers compete with each other, both internally and externally,” says Oskar Eklund, Key Account Manager at HiQ. Mazda first became established in Scandinavia back in 1966 and is now one of the biggest Japanese car makes in Europe. Sales are taken care of by nearly 200 dealers employing a total of 2,800 people at branches in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Continual training is required if Mazda is to succeed in meeting its customers’ needs and specific wishes. “So far, training has been carried out in a more traditional way. Having looked into various options, we decided that interactive training seemed worth investing in and that’s why we contacted HiQ,” says Cristiana Wall, Human Resource Manager at Mazda in Scandinavia. HiQ’s assignment has involved everything from the production of the concept through to project management, design and development of the technical solution – in close cooperation with Mazda’s Scandinavian organisation, and to a certain extent also its headquarters in Hiroshima. “The project been very stimulating and interesting. We are particularly pleased that the mix of gaming and competition in a simulated Mazda environment has been so well received by the target group. The knowledge of our history and current attractive model programme has increased,” says Per Lidström, PR Manager at Mazda Motor Sweden. “HiQ has worked on advanced simulation technology since 1992 and we are one of the leading consultancies when it comes to developing the technology that makes interactive gaming possible. Being able to offer our clients a concept that combines these two areas naturally feels very exciting. The technology is allowing new and creative opportunities to train people in all kinds of organisations. So far the initiative has resulted in many new assignments and I have great faith in our new concept,” says Lars Stugemo, President and CEO of HiQ. For further information, please contact: Lars Stugemo, President and CEO, HiQ, tel.: +46 (0)8-588 90 000 Oskar Eklund, Key Account Manager HiQ, tel.: +46 (0)31-743 91 00 Cristiana Wall, Mazda Motor Sweden, tel.: +46 (0)768-844 644 Annika Billberg, Head of Corporate Communications HiQ, tel.: +46 (0)8-588 90 015, +46 (0)704-200 103