Kuruma - Experiences and Lessons Learned from a Used Car Management Project

Introduction

The Kuruma Project operates in the used car business, serving as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. With the goal of providing a fast, transparent, and efficient car trading experience, the project has developed multiple online platforms catering to both the Japanese and international markets such as Africa.

Focusing on these markets is part of a strategic approach to leverage diverse opportunities: Japan has a high demand for quality used cars and Africa is witnessing a rapidly growing middle class.

In this article, ZIGExN VENTURA provides an in-depth look at the Kuruma Project through insights from Project Leader Duyệt, covering the challenges, innovative solutions, and key takeaways from the project.

Project Overview

Objectives

The Kuruma Project focuses on used car trading, acting as an intermediary between buyers and sellers. The project’s primary goal is to develop features that attract users, and multiple websites have been created to serve different markets and business purposes:

• Chukosha EX: Similar to Kuruma EX but designed for mobile applications with distinct technology stacks.
• TC-V: A platform aimed at international buyers, particularly in Africa and the United States, who seek to purchase exported vehicles from Japan.

These platforms enhance customer accessibility and increase business efficiency by offering tailored features for each market.

Target Markets

The Japanese, African, and American markets were selected as key focus areas for specific reasons:

• Japan: The Japanese market has a strong demand for high-quality used cars. With stable to high purchasing power, Japan remains the primary market for the project.
• Africa: In recent years, demand for used vehicles in Africa has grown significantly, making it a promising expansion target.

Challenges & Solutions

On a personal level, one of the biggest challenges faced by Project Leader Duyệt was transitioning from a Developer role to a Leadership position. At the time, he was handling a major task, and with the company’s trust, he was promoted to Project Leader for the Kuruma Project. This transition was both a significant challenge and an opportunity to enhance leadership skills, as he continued managing his technical responsibilities while overseeing the entire project.

For the Kuruma Project, the challenges were primarily due to the client's high quality standards, which were almost absolute. However, according to Duyệt, the team's dedication, strong collaboration, and eagerness to learn played a key role in ensuring project success.

"Compared to my past projects, the quality expectations here were extremely high. However, what made a huge difference was that my team was highly motivated, eager to learn, and always looking for challenges. Our key members took strong ownership, which contributed significantly to the project’s success."

Below are some of the major challenges and solutions implemented by the Kuruma team to deliver a high-quality product.

Building Customer Trust

For those experienced in project management, it's well known that gaining customer trust is an invaluable factor in a project’s success. The Kuruma team was fortunate to work with the client’s CTO, who was highly knowledgeable, goal-oriented, and open to change and new ideas. This trust made even the most complex discussions smoother and more efficient.

However, the Kuruma team believes that trust isn’t just a matter of luck. Even when working with competent partners, proactively communicating, offering solutions, and assisting with challenges are crucial in building strong, long-term relationships.

Kaizen Culture

One of the key strengths of the Kuruma team was its commitment to continuous improvement through the Kaizen approach. The team regularly organized knowledge-sharing sessions and code camps to improve skills.

When a team member faced difficulties, they were encouraged to research independently, then share insights with the team. During team meetings, members reviewed challenges together, provided feedback, and refined solutions. This culture of continuous learning and collaboration strengthened the team’s efficiency and cohesion.

Proposing Solutions

To build customer trust and ensure high-quality results, the Kuruma team implemented various technical enhancements, including system upgrades, library updates, and Google Index improvements.

During the implementation phase, two major challenges arose:

1. System Upgrades: Upgrading system versions required comprehensive testing and debugging. Some critical bugs appeared post-upgrade, requiring a rollback to a stable version. Despite the challenges, careful planning and teamwork led to a successful upgrade.
2. DDoS Attacks & Security: At one point, the system suffered a DDoS attack, causing traffic spikes. Initially, identifying the root cause was challenging, requiring extensive log analysis. After identifying the malicious IP addresses, the team implemented IP-blocking measures. Although the attack temporarily slowed down the application and affected Google Index scores, the team’s proactive response reassured the client. The team also recommended additional security solutions, but the client opted to maintain the current setup for now.

Results

Achievements

• Enhanced system performance and user experience.
• Increased customer satisfaction, with an average rating of 8/10.
• Developed new tools, including Slack integration and automated email features, to streamline information management.

Long-Term Impact

The project not only meets current market demands but also establishes a strong foundation for future expansion.

Key Takeaways

Customer Relationships

The team strives to build strong customer trust by ensuring high-quality results and proposing system improvements.

For instance, the Kuruma team actively seeks customer feedback, with clients typically rating the team 8/10. However, the team remains committed to continuous improvement.

Additionally, the client’s CTO appreciated the team’s proactive approach in recommending system updates and new features, all of which were clearly documented and well-presented.

Leveraging Modern Technology

Unlike previous projects, Kuruma integrated advanced technologies such as Matching Engine, and Google services to analyze market trends and user behavior. These innovations enhanced engagement and personalized recommendations.

A Learning & Challenge-Seeking Mindset

The team maintained a strong culture of learning and embraced new challenges. This not only fostered individual growth but also ensured long-term project success.

Conclusion

The Kuruma Project stands as a successful case study of technology-driven business transformation. It demonstrates how a strong, collaborative team culture and cutting-edge technology can overcome significant challenges. The lessons learned from this project will continue to shape future initiatives for the development team.