Toyota, Subaru Swap Engineers
04-27-07, 09:54 AM
#1
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Toyota, Subaru Swap Engineers
Toyota, Subaru Swap Engineers
http://wardsauto.com/ar/toyota_subaru_engineers/
PALM SPRINGS, CA – Toyota Motor Corp. and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. have swapped more than 100 engineers in order to explore possible synergies between the two auto makers, a Subaru of America Inc. official says.
“Toyota sent about 100-150 over to Subaru and vice versa,” David Sullivan, product car line manager for SOA, tells Ward’s at a media event here.
“That exchange started a couple months after the agreement was reached for Toyota to invest in 8.7% of our parent (Fuji),” he says. “So there’s some intermingling going on right now, and in a year or two I think you’ll see that bear some fruit for both companies.”
Toyota purchased a stake in Fuji about 18 months ago, largely to gain capacity for Camry production at Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc.’s plant in Lafayette, IN.
But the alliance also has opened doors for other opportunities, such as technology swapping, Sullivan says.
One scenario sees Subaru adapting Toyota’s hybrid technology for use in one of its vehicles, he says.
“The development (of hybrid-electric vehicles) is half the battle,” Sullivan says. “And I think that’s what we’re kind of hoping to get from the alliance; the expertise behind making it a seamless powertrain alternative over the long-term. It’s something our senior leadership has said is one of the reasons we wanted the alliance.”
Toyota also could choose to tap into Subaru’s engineering know-how, possibly borrowing some of the auto maker’s signature all-wheel-drive technology.
“I suspect (Toyota is) fascinated with our AWD technology,” says Timothy Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at SOA.
Meanwhile, Sullivan says adding Camry production at Subaru’s Lafayette plant has proved mutually beneficial.
When Subaru bought out former plant partner Isuzu Motors Ltd. in 2004, Lafayette was running at less than capacity, he says.
“We were able to fill up (capacity) with the (Subaru) Tribeca (cross/utility vehicle), but unfortunately we were unable to fill up 100%,” Sullivan says. “Now with Camry onboard, it allows us to fully utilize the plant. And Toyota can put more Camrys (on) the market.”
The addition of the Camry also lowers Subaru’s fixed costs and provides a glimpse into the inner workings of Toyota’s famed quality management system, he says.
“Toyota sent about 100-150 over to Subaru and vice versa,” David Sullivan, product car line manager for SOA, tells Ward’s at a media event here.
“That exchange started a couple months after the agreement was reached for Toyota to invest in 8.7% of our parent (Fuji),” he says. “So there’s some intermingling going on right now, and in a year or two I think you’ll see that bear some fruit for both companies.”
Toyota purchased a stake in Fuji about 18 months ago, largely to gain capacity for Camry production at Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc.’s plant in Lafayette, IN.
But the alliance also has opened doors for other opportunities, such as technology swapping, Sullivan says.
One scenario sees Subaru adapting Toyota’s hybrid technology for use in one of its vehicles, he says.
“The development (of hybrid-electric vehicles) is half the battle,” Sullivan says. “And I think that’s what we’re kind of hoping to get from the alliance; the expertise behind making it a seamless powertrain alternative over the long-term. It’s something our senior leadership has said is one of the reasons we wanted the alliance.”
Toyota also could choose to tap into Subaru’s engineering know-how, possibly borrowing some of the auto maker’s signature all-wheel-drive technology.
“I suspect (Toyota is) fascinated with our AWD technology,” says Timothy Mahoney, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at SOA.
Meanwhile, Sullivan says adding Camry production at Subaru’s Lafayette plant has proved mutually beneficial.
When Subaru bought out former plant partner Isuzu Motors Ltd. in 2004, Lafayette was running at less than capacity, he says.
“We were able to fill up (capacity) with the (Subaru) Tribeca (cross/utility vehicle), but unfortunately we were unable to fill up 100%,” Sullivan says. “Now with Camry onboard, it allows us to fully utilize the plant. And Toyota can put more Camrys (on) the market.”
The addition of the Camry also lowers Subaru’s fixed costs and provides a glimpse into the inner workings of Toyota’s famed quality management system, he says.
04-27-07, 10:24 AM
#2
Super Moderator
This is an excellent idea. I know a few companies here that don't do it with competitors, but sometimes with suppliers, so that each gets an idea of what the others do and the problems and solutions by giving a fresh look at something.
04-27-07, 12:23 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
An excellent idea it is, and something I wanted to see ever since this merger was announced....the makers of the world's most durable engines working with the maker of the world's best inexpensive AWD systems.
04-27-07, 06:02 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Seriously, Lexus needs to offer a much larger variety of powertrain options than it does now in order to match the competition.
Last edited by XeroK00L; 04-27-07 at 06:08 PM.
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04-27-07, 11:27 PM
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04-28-07, 05:33 AM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Just this year, the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe AWD models were also dropped.
Toyota and Honda can market a few successful, inexpensive, AWD vehicles like the RAV-4 and CR-V, but in general, Subaru wrote the book on inexpensive AWD. I agree with you, though, that it will be interesting to see if Toyota's superior engines can be mated with Subaru's superior AWD systems.
04-28-07, 07:12 AM
#14
Lexus Connoisseur
04-28-07, 07:50 AM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
If the Joint Subaru-Toyota teams of engineers can figure out a way (and, because of packaging reasons, it will not be easy) to combine Toyota's admittedly more durable in-line and V6 engines (or even the hybrids) with Subaru's better and more durable AWD systems, THAT will be SOME vehicle.
My checkbook is waiting.
