Yamaha and Final Aim continue utility EV initiative at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025

Japanese startup Final Aim, Inc. and Yamaha Motor Co. Japan recently unveiled customised designs of DIAPASON C580, a multiuse utility EV tailored for various industries, from hospitality to agriculture, at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, a premier automotive industry trade show in Japan. 

DIAPASON C580 is part of Yamaha Motor’s DIAPASON initiative, which was initially showcased at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 and showcased various design firms’ EV prototypes, all utilising Yamaha Motor’s EV platform as a foundation. Alongside it is the C451, shown below. 

Prototype C451 focusses on electric mobility specifically for agricultural use in Japan. Final Aim leveraged a combination of generative AI and product development software – Autodesk Fusion  – to rapidly bring C451 and the customised C580 designs to life, showcasing the potential for a new vehicle design workflow. 

The vehicle emerged from a unique design brief that challenged Final Aim to craft a functional two-seater EV that meets the evolving needs of Japan’s aging agriculture industry. “In Japan, the average agriculture worker is 65-years-old,” says Yasuhide Yokoi, co-founder and chief design officer at Final Aim. “From this information, I understood that we had to create a design and features that would appeal to a new, younger generation of farmers.” 

The Final Aim team collaborated with Yamaha Motor’s new business development team to bring a physical scale prototype to life in just a couple of months. The result was a compact and efficient EV that strikes a balance between being visually appealing (people even referred to it as ‘kawaii’ or ‘cute’ at the show) and easy-to-drive – two key factors in getting younger people interested in farm work.  

It’s also accessible enough to appeal to the existing 65-and-up demographic. Many elderly farmers could benefit from small, low-profile utility vehicles that are easier to drive than the standard keitora, a small Japanese truck. 

From generative AI to 3D model 

Generative AI played a crucial role in the conceptual design phase for C451, enabling comprehensive ideation and the development of innovative solutions tailored to specific functional requirements.  

After using text-to-text AI to better understand Japan’s agricultural landscape, the team jumped into generative AI to explore aesthetics. “By using this, we ideated more than 2,000 different design images in just a couple of weeks,” says Yokoi. “From there, we narrowed it down to a couple that we wanted to pursue.” 

Using their favourite concepts from generative AI research, the Final Aim team then leveraged Autodesk Fusion to iterate and ultimately create a factory-ready 3D model.

“Fusion provides access to the cloud and comprehensive design features that aren’t accessible with other 3D CAD software tools,” explains Yokoi. “Our team was distributed around the globe, so cloud collaboration was a key factor in speeding up the design and manufacturing process.” The team also leveraged simulation in Fusion to stress test parts ahead of manufacturing. 

Once the design was finalised, Fusion made it easy to remotely share files across teams. “Fusion allowed the initial design concept to be perfectly handed off to the engineering and manufacturing teams,” Yokoi continues. “Without Fusion, we knew we could not meet this deadline.” 

Take a closer look at Final Aim’s C451 design process below: 

The DIAPASON C580 expands on the DIAPASON platform’s design ethos to offer a more customisable option. The development process included identifying multiple niche market applications for a two-seater EV and designing attachments to suit each. 

It’s designed for both indoor and outdoor use, featuring a lightweight and compact body with a battery that weighs just 20kg. It can come equipped with optional dozers, trailers, roof racks and more, making it highly versatile and customisable. There’s even an attachment that can seat people working in the hospitality industry.  

DIAPASON C580’s versatility makes it applicable across multiple industries, including agriculture, factory operations and leisure, and is expected to go to market in 2026. 

A big future for small utility EVs 

As the EV industry continues to evolve, projects like the C451 and C580 underscore the importance of innovative thinking and collaborative efforts in shaping the future of transportation. Yamaha Motor and Final Aim’s collaboration is a testament to the power of combining expertise and cutting-edge technology to address real-world challenges.  

“By harnessing generative AI for design ideation and video generation, we aim to accelerate product development and unlock new market possibilities,” says Yokoi. “With Fusion, we’re taking a deeper look at the feedback and applying that on the next version. We’re excited to see the potential users and the future of EVs in the agriculture industry and beyond.”