At Nissan Motor Asia Pacific’s Thailand headquarters, the Exterior Trim Engineering team, part of the Research and Development Division, is making significant strides in automotive design. Leading the team is Panthipa Thongkaow, known as “Bew,” an engineer and middle-level manager with over a decade of experience in the automotive industry.
Bew and her team are responsible for designing and developing exterior parts like front grilles, hood ornaments, bumpers, and other accessories. Their work goes beyond aesthetics, incorporating driving performance, safety, and compliance with international standards.
“Exterior parts design involves more than looks. We consider driving performance, safety, and regulatory compliance,” Bew explains.
By closely monitoring automotive trends and consumer preferences, Bew ensures that new car designs meet market demands. Her team’s efforts have resulted in popular models, including the Nissan Navara Black Edition.
Under Bew’s leadership, the team reflects Nissan’s commitment to diversity, with members from various backgrounds and experiences. This diversity drives innovation, despite occasional challenges.
Nissan promotes an inclusive workplace, with numerous women in leadership roles across ASEAN. The company continues to enhance its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.“Diverse perspectives can lead to conflict, but it’s important to listen, ask questions, and connect with team members,” Bew says.
Reflecting on her career, Bew emphasizes the importance of removing entry barriers to encourage more women in technology and engineering fields. “Using gender-neutral language in job descriptions can help attract qualified candidates,” she notes.
As the world celebrates , Bew’s journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that anyone, regardless of gender, can pursue a career in engineering.
