Problem
In January 2010, some of the Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles were recalled because of problems about defective accelerator pedals made from CTS Corporation, a leading automotive supplier in North America, Europe, and Asia. The problems are related to the friction inside the moving part of the units that controls the pedal to return as soon as the pressure on the pedal is released. This friction should be designed to consistently corresponsive to the pressure on the pedal, in both pressed and released positions, so that the drivers can smoothly control the speed of the vehicles. It is thought that the condensation caused by cold weather is one of the reasons that lead to an increase of the friction. Another reason is related to the friction build up after a period of time possibly caused by moisture or particulate accumulation. There is a spring inside the assembly that responsible for the pedal to return when the pressure is released. With the added friction, the driver may observe the changes that the pedals gradually become difficult to press, lag of mechanical response to the pedal release, and tend to stick at its partially depressed position. These problems may lead to unintended acceleration which make it difficult to control the vehicle and may result in an accident. An example according to the USA Today, Pries Morrison, the owner of Toyota Camry, is one of more than 100 drivers who experienced accidentally speeding even though she already released her feet from the accelerator pedal (Carty, 2010).
Outsourcing
The problem of the sticky gas pedals is found only in Toyota Camry which is assembled with the CTS gas pedals. The cause of this problem is occurred in the 2-tier supplier which is the outsourcing of Toy...
... middle of paper ...
...blogs.hbr.org/cs/2010/03/dont_believe_everything_you_re.html
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2010, Toyota Owners Advised of Actions to Take Regarding Two Separate Recalls, accessed 20/03/2010, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.f2217bee37fb302f6d7c121046108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_1e51531b2220b0f8ea14201046108a0c_viewID=detail_view&itemID=855362c400776210VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD&pressReleaseYearSelect=2010
Niedermeyer, P 2010 ‘Exclusive: TTAC Takes Apart Both Toyota Gas Pedals, Jan. 30 2010’, weblog post, The Truth About Cars, 30 January, accessed 22/03/2010, http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/exclusive-ttac-takes-apart-both-toyota-gas-pedals/
Toyota, 2010, accessed 20/03/2010, http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/toyota-announces-comprehensive-153311.aspx
Detroit asserts that the Cadillac engine system is responsible for cost reduction especially with regard to the Cadillac maintenance (73). This owes to the fact that the flexible logistics of installation and low consumption of fuel guarantee savings. This vehicle’s engine is efficient due to the fact that it is safe to drive at high and low speeds. The brake system of this vehicle does not require electromagnetic fields in order to function. The model in question is also fitted with emergency tools, which help in case of skidding. These tools include the braking cruise control. Cadillac’s brake system is light unlike other vehicles’ brake systems, and this enhances swiftness in driving the Cadillac. Additionally, this model does not have the shortcoming of fuel loss especially through drags. The Cadillac has Eigen solver system, which is responsible for squeal analysis. In this regard, the need for programming is eliminated. The thermoregulation ensures that the braking system’s heat is controlled. Furthermore, the thermoregulation amplifies the computation performance of squeal. The engine...
Stern, Perry, et al. “2007 Toyota Camry.” MSN.com. 2006. MSN Autos. 11 Nov. 2006 .
The company whose supply chain that I chose to evaluate was Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is a company that is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and they specialize in global security and aerospace. They employ approximately 97,000 people around the world and to a large extent are engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of various advanced technology systems, products and services. Their mission specifically involves solving complex challenges, advancing scientific discovery and delivering innovative solutions to help their customers keep people safe. The vision Lockheed Martin has is to be the global leader in supporting their customers' missions, strengthening security and advancing scientific discovery, while their values include doing what's right, respecting others, and performing with excellence. As a global security, innovation, and aerospace company, a vast majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. federal government agencies. In addition, Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin Company) dispenses military and rotary-wing aircraft to all five branches of the
Therefore, it is the company’s responsibility and duty to inform the public about safety issues that come with lightweight cars, and leave the people with the freedom to choose whether or not they buy this product. Even though this process might decrease sales, however; the company’s superiors must put themselves in a position where someone offered them a product without informing them of their dangerous sides and refuse to do things to others what they refuse to be done on themselves.
I have learned quite a lot while constructing my mousetrap car. For example i learned that the friction that is active while the mousetrap car is in motion is rolling and static. Rolling friction occurs when an object rolls over a surface, in my case the CDs are rolling on the floor causing the car to move. Static friction occurs when one solid surface slides over another, for example my solid car sliding over a solid surface.Fortunately i didn't have very much problems related to friction.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, U.S.A. (TMM) is deviating from the standard assembly line principle of jidoka in an attempt to avoid expenses incurred from stopping the production line for seat quality defects. This deviation has contributed to the inability to identify the root cause of the problem, which has led to decreased run ratios on the line and an excess of defective automobiles in the overflow lot for multiple days. If this problem isn’t fixed quickly, an increased amount of waste will continue to be incurred and customer value will be threatened.
The business environment is increasingly becoming competitive and challenging. In the recent past, manufacturers have found themselves facing the threat of dwindling profit margins due to unfortunate global events such as the 2007 global financial crisis and the on going Europe economic crisis. The need to improve operation efficiency so as to ensure current and future investment yield the highest rate of return has therefore become extremely important. Manufacturers are now actively engaged in, managing their costs, Research and Development, adopting best procurement strategies, among other Actions. While such actions might eventually lead to positive results, additional business value can be achieved through proper management of the supply chain (Waymer, Ivanaj & Mussa 2009; Krivda 2004).
"MOTOR INDUSTRY: TRIO OF EUROPEAN CARS TOP CAR SAFETY LIST." European Report. N.p., 3 June 1998. Web.
In 2010, automaker Toyota was faced with one of the biggest threats to its brand, the safety of its vehicles. Toyota failed miserably in its response to the safety issues due to a few major management issues.
Next, many people have either died or have been injured in motor vehicle accidents, each year there are about 5 million people injured in vehicle related accidents (The Environmental Impact of Automobiles). Although this all m...
Toyota’s innovative nature allows them to produce quality products and maintain their brand image, even if it is at a higher cost. However, their customer base is also aware of their reliability, despite numerous recalls which dampened the organizations name, yet they are still willing to remain loyal customers.
Its objective is to integrate people, process, and technology. Toytoa’s product development procedure is essentially different from a manufacturing process. Its backbone is not visible, but knowledge and information which are untouchable. The product development’s cycle time is much longer than hours. It usually takes weeks or even months. The production chains are non-linear and multi-directional. Workers are no longer manufacturing workers but specialists with high diverse technology. This product development strategy is viable for Toyota. This is because this strategy does help Toyota to prolong the life cycle of current product. For instance, Toyota Camry is a very successful current product which is prolonged its life. Camry has been made since 1980s. Camry is set at an middle-high level of family veichle. After 30 years development, Camry is still very famous all over the world. This cannot be separeted by Toyota’s successful product development strategy. One of the key features of the Toyota product development system is functional engineering managers. They are primarily teachers in the Toyota system, who are the most technically competent engineers, with the highest levels of experience. Toyota’s management group is consist of high educated experts. They were all engineers and their technical excellence is very famous. But recently, Toyota’s product development system does not work very well. In
According to Steve Gorman of Thomson Reuters, the world’s largest international multimedia news agency, 40 consumers, and businesses filed legal claims against Toyota. The claims involved financial losses including diminished vehicle principles steaming from complaints of Toyota cars racing out of manage (Gorman, S. 2010). An international company memo cited that a reliable (brake override) option in 2007, three years prior to the safety feature made standard.
Different nations within which Toyota operates have different political, technological, social, and cultural environments. To safeguard the company’s overall image, there must be effective communication between the head office and regional quarters. This is especially important in the area of quality control, as Toyota currently grapples with safety issues facing several of its car models.
Toyota Motor Corporation is a very successful automobile manufacturer that is recognized globally. They have continued to obtain and retain a competitive advantage over their counterparts, despite recalls over many years. Regardless of recalls, Toyota has been quick to rectify their shortcomings and continue to lead within the automotive industry with their innovative measures. In this essay, I will discuss key internal factors for Toyota. Within those factors will include Toyota’s core competencies, which are what they do really well in comparison to their competition, three of their strength’s, which will include their posture within the automobile market and their heavy focus on research and development, and two of their