Jul 6 2012
Toyota’s most successful rival: VW
See on Scoop.it – lean manufacturing
From the article:
“For all VW’s success, it is rare to hear people outside the firm praising the “Volkswagen Way” as they once lauded the “Toyota Production System”. VW has ignored Toyota’s obsession with the production line, says Mr Warburton, and concentrated on saving costs through parts-sharing between models. It has managed to preserve a culture of permanent innovation and a willingness to take risks. If there is a Volkswagen Way, it is to be determined, diligent and attentive to detail, with a glint of ruthlessness.”
See on www.economist.com
July 6, 2012 @ 7:26 am
Do you really think that VW “ignored Toyota’s obsession with the production line?” I rather doubt it. While they may have done a better job of parts-sharing between models, the bloody well better have also focused on eliminating waste, continuous improvement, etc.
The press seems only able to deal in dichotomies: they did A and not B. The reality is almost always “they got better results from A, while also getting results from B. The simple headline, the more counter-intuitive the better, always attracts attention and every editor understands that. Soon you will see a headline that says “Lean is Dead” and everyone will read it and draw false conclusions.
Incidentally, I drive a VW CC with which I am very happy.
July 6, 2012 @ 7:56 am
I don’t. This is a press clipping, and I am just quoting the article.
July 9, 2012 @ 5:47 am
What’s your opinion then ?
July 9, 2012 @ 6:49 am
Do I have to have one? I just thought this article was interesting news, but the closest I have been to VW is the Porsche plant in Leipzig that I visited a year ago, and the fact that, like Larry, I drive a VW and find it wonderful. As long as VW had low rankings for quality, I did not even consider buying one, but it is no longer the case.
For a glimpse of VW thinking about factory, check out this video of their “transparent” factory in downtown Dresden.
Like the Porsche plant in Leipzig, it is meant to be a show case as much as a factory. All the noisy, dirty, or sensitive processes, like welding, machining, or painting, are done upstream. All you see is final assembly, in an environment that is designed to be seen by outsiders. In Leipzig, the highest, most visible structure is the diamond-shaped visitor center. In Dresden, the plant is located downtown, and the line visible through glass walls.
While this is highly innovative marketing, is this best for manufacturing performance? I don’t know.
July 9, 2012 @ 6:58 pm
VW’s profit margins have soared to 9.92% and they continue to grow market share while looking to hire 1000 workers into Chattanooga. Their design power continues to win awards. Of course, now that we’ve bought a VW CC, way too much fun and 0 – 60 in 6.8 seconds, 6 forward speeds, turbo, great interior, we’re biased! A Mill Girl at Blue Heron Journal