Toyota developing new ultra-low-cost production process
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Toyota developing new ultra-low-cost production process
Toyota developing new ultra-low-cost production process
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx3347163.html
TOKYO (XFN-ASIA) - Toyota Motor Co is developing a radically different carmaking process that will drastically cut costs across the entire chain of production, President Katsuaki Watanabe said in an interview with the Financial Times.
'The focus is on low-cost technology,' Watanabe said. 'Everything from design to production methods will be radically changed and we are thinking of a really ultra-low-cost way of designing, using ultra-low-cost materials, even developing new materials if necessary.'
Watanabe said the company will review each step in the production process to lower costs for a new model and then to apply the lessons across its line-up.
Asked about the price of a car produced via the new process Watanabe said the company has a rough target of being 'at least' cheaper than the Renault (other-otc: RNSDF.PK - news - people ) Logan.
Watanabe also denied media speculation that Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people ) is poised to strike a cooperation agreement with Ford, saying no specifics have been discussed.
'The focus is on low-cost technology,' Watanabe said. 'Everything from design to production methods will be radically changed and we are thinking of a really ultra-low-cost way of designing, using ultra-low-cost materials, even developing new materials if necessary.'
Watanabe said the company will review each step in the production process to lower costs for a new model and then to apply the lessons across its line-up.
Asked about the price of a car produced via the new process Watanabe said the company has a rough target of being 'at least' cheaper than the Renault (other-otc: RNSDF.PK - news - people ) Logan.
Watanabe also denied media speculation that Toyota (nyse: TM - news - people ) is poised to strike a cooperation agreement with Ford, saying no specifics have been discussed.
http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx3347163.html
Lexus Test Driver
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From: WA
more cost-cutting....great....they didn't even mention anything about the new technology or procedure. Looks like QC is going to go even further down and recalls are going to start escalating....
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Business 101
Keep in mind that a low cost production process does NOT mean a decrease in quality. Take standardization or modularization for example. Here we have different processes in the value chain that reduce costs, but do not sacrifice quality.
/Business 101
If I trust a company to develop a low cost production method without sacrificing quality, I trust Toyota.
Keep in mind that a low cost production process does NOT mean a decrease in quality. Take standardization or modularization for example. Here we have different processes in the value chain that reduce costs, but do not sacrifice quality.
/Business 101
If I trust a company to develop a low cost production method without sacrificing quality, I trust Toyota.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: WA
We'll see what happens to Toyota/Lexus quality (hopefully quality remains high) in the next few years with their new "plan/technique" . I'm just a very skeptical person, I guess mainly because they're being so tight lipped about the "plan/technique".
Last edited by mavericck; Jan 22, 2007 at 10:30 PM.
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Business 101
Keep in mind that a low cost production process does NOT mean a decrease in quality. Take standardization or modularization for example. Here we have different processes in the value chain that reduce costs, but do not sacrifice quality.
/Business 101
If I trust a company to develop a low cost production method without sacrificing quality, I trust Toyota.
Keep in mind that a low cost production process does NOT mean a decrease in quality. Take standardization or modularization for example. Here we have different processes in the value chain that reduce costs, but do not sacrifice quality.
/Business 101
If I trust a company to develop a low cost production method without sacrificing quality, I trust Toyota.
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