Dear All,

This recent article shows that Toyota did get a series of warnings related to failures. The unfortunate part is that finally the action does not seem to be internal (from within Toyota) but induced by external forces (Government Departments).

http://www.nytimes.c...oyotaGrfxX.html

What are your views of Lean and Six Sigma community on this series of events?


Regards,

VK

Hi VK, 

My views are

1. It is a definite dent to Toyota Quality image. Quality was in Toyota DNA

2. I am not sure how external warning are transformed internally within Toyota to serious investigation and analysis

3. Japanese car are known for the quality across the globe. Today Toyota is like rest of the Pack. Customers are forgiving because of the past, but how long?

4. I am surprised by the response of Toyota executives with the blame game and scope goat type of excuse but not a single blame on the suppliers that is very courageous and different when compared to other top players

5. My personal experience with the plant of Toyota cannot be ignored. A) Limited automation Engineers are stretched with a lean and mean structure c) highly stretched operators with 12 hrs shift d) Not a free environment to work with e) this is further complicated with stiff targets both on Quality and Qty

6. We should also look at the benefits Toyota reaped so far.

Lastly,

The most efficient system is the most unstable system if one weak link breaks. My views are also stongly on the complacency that what worked in the past and will continue to do so

Dear Sir,

If you confess you are free from the sin .Toyata has followed it.If shortcoming or error is identified ,replacement or recall is done quality commitment is fullfilled.So far quality assurance is concerned,it got a beating;but I am sure they will learn from it.It has opened a good trend.See Maruti has followed it and others will get a lession.

Toyota

Honda

Hyundai

Maruti Suzuki

Latest is Nissan

Is it just a coincidence that all familiar car makers of Japan / Korea are involved in recalling of their premier models recently.

Anything to do with their high level of automation.

 

 

 

 

We need to check the media's trustworthiness here....recalling products did happen earlier but not of this size, agreed. However, is this created by the "shoot first-think next"  ??? media to create good feeling about its auto industry ???

TOYOTA follows TPS which is way ahead of lean six sigma.....

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/98/debunk.html

I think it is Strategic mistake /blunder by TOYOTA which has gone into we are the Best mode and stopped Learning.TOYOTA does not seem to have strong Internal Audit and Risk management systems in place.Morever VOC is neglected and Safety has taken a backseat.

As India  we must Learn and think INDIAN WAY and keep TOYOTA WAY away.(A_WAY).

Let All organisations start Training in YOG and Meditation and follow principeles of

Bhagwad _Gita . Trust ME it will help.Thanks.

 

Hi.I am Dr.Rajkumar P Singh.

I have a question to my learned friend.What is better?Doing mistake and not accepting or hiding;or accepting if mistake has already occured?Indian model had been the first one with some exeptoins inspite of all yoga and meditation knowledge being here for ages.Mistakes are there to learn from them.In the long run market reaction will be in favour of TOYATA if media does not spoil the game

In current times, no service is impeccable. Till so far "Quality" went synonym with Toyota. It is just a phase and would be revived soon. However, I personally believe that the reason for this phase is their failure to continually improve and control. Speaking to some of my friends in Toyota and other automation cos. they confirmed that the stringent policies and rigidness, has led to the failure plus the inability to change from their grass root policies.

Udeesha

I agree.Quality is the most importent commitment and there cannot be any compromise.It is not a goal/target but way of life.Just having an ISO-9000

does not fulfill Quality Assurance.

Hi,

I learned about, how to start an Industry with First plan, construction, recruitement, process, manufacturing and bagging the market.

But, in all these includes quality first. Because, the basement was not good then their will be demolition of construction. Then, the civil engg. will be fired.

If we recruit the person, who was not undergone with specified subject, then their will be training period for him, which takes long time. Then HRD will be fired.

If the persons were not undergone with any mechanical training, then their will be slow movement of process. Then Mechanical engg. will be fired.

If the persons who were well in selling the products, during the market-demand production process gives only for demand products. Then MBA personnels will be fired.

So, we have learn first how to establish organization with all these with full statistical analyser. If not their will be lockout or any other problem may arrise.

Thank you.

vvrao.

Dear All,

        TOYOTA Failures need to be taken as Learning and LESSONS for specific Industry/Service organisations must be enumerated.

Engineers/ Professionals from different disciplines need to come together and Brainstorm.

I firmly believe Integrated Quality Sustems with Six Sigma /Lean Sigma as Strategy linked to Business Goals taking into account changing external environment will help INDIA.Thanks.

 

u can confirm me that products of Toyota's are manufactured under ISO,TRU.

Dear All,

Do we mean to say only Toyota has failed & not other companies...

lets take the recent Market complaint of Nokia Battery Bursting... Nokia initially said that there is no problem in the battery... later they arranged for inspection of all the batteries at Nokia care centre... they replaced all the defective batteries...

there were also failure & product call back by major automobile giants like Ford, Chrysler, BMW, bajaj auto, TVS Motors, Maruthi Suzuki... just to have a knowledge on the same... you are just Google away...

As many people have rightly said... just learn from mistakes... but lets not ignore some of the best processes created by TPS. Thats what we do in benchmarking... "Why a competitor perform well & where he has not..."

regards,

Ramabadran

Hi all

I am Sudharsan K joined group today.

I would like to share my views on Toyota discussion.

I think Toyota lacked in fundamental business ethics i.e., They DID NOT Align/review

 their Organisational Business Processess with respect to Cost Innovative Design

Ideas & products. Which lead to their current call back of premium products.

Sudharsan.K

welcome Sudharsan, yes but in todays competition to survive in the market the companies are more production oriented type and many time lacks the management of basic quality control of the Parts.it is natural that with time things are going to change but continious improvemnt, Reviews , VOC ,Field part Analysis is very mucch required to prevent such defect from reaccuring. 

Thanks

What I would suggest that happend is, we cannot do anything for the caused problem, but how we are going to analyse the problem and finding out the feasible solution for this to overcome such incidence in the near future.

It is the corporate governance that has failed at Toyota than its products. It could have easily retained its quality image by sticking to basic business ethics and acting on time. It is the same image damage experienced by Union Carbide or Shell or BP but the magnitude of damage that these companies have done to the world is much much higher than what Toyota has done.

Recalls happen because of strict legal restrictions and for creating a good will about the brand.. This is the cost of poor quality.,.

 

If the processes are good enough to cut these, then they can save these unnecessary costs and brand dilution..