Model-Based Development or MBD is a means to develop vehicle parts using virtual models on a computer, not using actual prototype parts throughout design and development activities. This realizes more efficient development by saving considerable time and effort that would usually be spent on elaborating performance concepts, designing, making prototype parts, and testing.

For example, MBD can be used to create computer simulations on systems such as an engine or even entire vehicles allowing engineers and designers to study things such as fuel combustion, oil flow, and the like.

Chaired by Mitsuo Hitomi, a Senior Innovation Fellow at Mazda, JAMBE will create “the most advanced development community in the mobility sector.” This will enable the member companies to further advance Japanese manufacturing or “Monozukuri” more efficiently and without rework.

The executive member companies will lead the center’s activities to contribute to making Japan's automotive industry more competitive internationally by enabling academia and businesses to share digital models across the board, linking academic research with development of parts, systems and vehicles. Therefore, allowing both sides to coordinate and make adjustments digitally from the initial stages of development.