Toyotas History

[gizmopt2002]

So I got bored and decided to look up some old cars and came along to Toyota. It was very interesting. For short they have been making cars since 1933. One of their first cars, model AA was interesting. I thought some people would be interested in it so I decided to post it. Heres the link, LINKO!!, at the bottom of the page there is links for all the vehicles. Have fun. lol

 

[TheBlueWave]

I find the most interesting part of thier history is that they pioneered lean manufacturing. At my company we are trying to duplicate that with limited success so far. We are trying this becuase of the way Toyota has smashed the big three in America. The NUMMI joint venture between GM and Toyota in Cali was supposed to teach GM how to go lean and auto unions have shut it down so GM has had limited or no success doing this. My boss worked at the NUMMI venture years back and understands lean very well. Lean has lots to do with Toyota quality by eliminating the seven forms of waste:
1. Transportation-source parts close to the plant. A Tundra built in Indiana has more American sourced parts than a Chev. built in Mich.
2. Motion-workers have tools close by, no walking or looking for tools
3. Re-work-build it right the first time
4. Build only what you need-no overproduction
5. Inventory-hidden cost, Yota plants have very little extra stuff lying around
6. Waiting time-start next part right after finishing current one
7. Processing Itself-make parts quickly and accurately

All this waste reduction (muda in Japenese) provides better quality. We are working on it at our company (can't say which one, but tape and sandpaper are clues) and its difficult but when it works its really great. Lean is why I choose Toyota over the big three.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_manufacturing

 

[Jeff Kleb]

HMMM.....I think you are onto something with your explanation of "lean" manufacturing. It is a shame that our corporate brass (most of them anyhow) can't figure out what the Japanese have known for fifty-plus years. Tape and sandpaper -- Good one!
:bigok:

This is part of the reason that GM, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler are getting their lunch handed to them by Toyota.

 

[TheBlueWave]

HMMM.....I think you are onto something with your explanation of "lean" manufacturing. It is a shame that our corporate brass (most of them anyhow) can't figure out what the Japanese have known for fifty-plus years. Tape and sandpaper -- Good one!
:bigok:

This is part of the reason that GM, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler are getting their lunch handed to them by Toyota.

We know how to use the tools, but the culture change is another story. Lean is a culture of continuous improvement that needs to involve all levels, from assembler to CEO. Toyota practiced lean out of necessecity in post-war Japan. Now the USA is facing similar problems with foreign competition. Our little tape and sandpaper company is trying to go lean before its too late. To permit the constant change culture of Toyota, they aren't ISO 9002 certified, allowing them not to waste time certifying all their documentation; it makes it to the production floor quicker. Lean does :bash: to the competition.
More on this later, I'm hoping some of you out there work in American manufacturing to help promote lean, IT REALLY WORKS!