About Me　
David Koichi Chao, P.Eng.
Managing Editor
Vice President of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada)
Considered by many as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced automotive journalists, David is a Vice President of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Working as a Managing Editor for Automotive Press International, David brings over 37 years of direct automotive experience to the table. David's experience as a vehicle evaluation engineer and technology strategist allows him to bring fresh, interesting perspectives of the cars, the people behind them, and the technology that binds them together. He has been an automotive journalist for over 34 years, and have one of the most successful and fastest growing YouTube channels. Over the years, his work has appeared in numerous daily papers and magazines all across North America, in addition to the YouTube channel.
David has a unique background because he has an extensive automotive industry experience as an automotive engineer, working in a variety of areas including manufacturing, supply chain, product development, supplier management, quality control, and vehicle evaluation. Prior to becoming a writer and a YouTuber, David worked as an automotive evaluation and benchmark engineer for General Motors in Detroit headquarters. He also worked as a production engineer for CAMI automotive plant in Ingersoll, Ontario (a joint venture plant between GM Canada and Suzuki). David was the very first employee to join CAMI back in 1987, and he became the pioneer of lean manufacturing and supply chain management.
David also worked for a number of other Japanese automotive companies, including working as a project consultant engineer for Toyota, kaizen specialist for a Toyota supplier, and many others. David received significant training in Japan during these times. Born and raised in Japan, David is fluent in Japanese but grew up in the US and Canada. He currently travels on a regular basis internationally, visiting significant auto shows and development centres all around the globe.
As a specialist in Lean Manufacturing, Agile Thinking, and Supply Chain Management, David also provides unique perspectives on emerging trends and key industry methodologies. He is often asked to be a keynote speaker or industry panelist at major Lean, Agile, and Supply Chain Conferences around the world. Prior to leading Automotive Press International, David was a Manager in charge of Supply Chain and Lean Manufacturing at CapGemini Ernst & Young Management Consulting firm in Vancouver.
A recipient of seven scholarships from University of British Columbia, David ranked in the top 2% during his engineering program at UBC and has been a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and British Columbia for over 32 years.
David has a Bachelor of Applied Science from University of British Columbia. He is also a graduate of Executive Certification programs from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management and Harvard Business School, which provided him with the latest insights around leadership, strategy, and organizational behavior.
Over the years, David has contributed to numerous local and national newspapers, magazines, and social media channels in North America, including highly respected outlets such as Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, Denver Post, New York Post, Business in Vancouver, and many more. He is also often asked to be a guest on major YouTube channels such as TFL, Car Care Nut, and YAA.
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