Toyota Global Executive Describes Tundra's Issues As Shameful
11-05-07, 12:20 PM
#1
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Toyota Global Executive Describes Tundra's Issues As Shameful
The corporate culture that has charged Toyota's ascendance in the automotive world isn't without its pitfalls. Pride in quality products has driven the automaker for decades and the recent spate of issues with the Tundra – from snapping camshafts, cracking tailgates and faulty torque converters – is making Toyota executives realize that exponential growth is not without its pains.
Speaking with Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show, ToMoCo's global manufacturing exec admitted that problems with the automaker's full-size pickup have caused "shame" within the company. Takeshi Uchiyamada cited the rapid expansion of Toyota's production facilities, increased sales and issues with new products as being the major dilemmas facing the automaker, but that all these problems are being addressed. Recognizing the issue is half the battle, but time will tell whether or not Toyota's break-neck pace will continue to hamper the Japanese firm's growth.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Speaking with Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show, ToMoCo's global manufacturing exec admitted that problems with the automaker's full-size pickup have caused "shame" within the company. Takeshi Uchiyamada cited the rapid expansion of Toyota's production facilities, increased sales and issues with new products as being the major dilemmas facing the automaker, but that all these problems are being addressed. Recognizing the issue is half the battle, but time will tell whether or not Toyota's break-neck pace will continue to hamper the Japanese firm's growth.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
11-05-07, 01:09 PM
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I definitely agree. This issues are certainly shameful. Good to see that Toyota knows how serious these issues are. Time will tell if their implemented measures will improved things.
11-05-07, 01:21 PM
#5
Everyone makes mistakes.
Not everyone learns from them. Not everyone finds a solution.
I hope Toyota will back off a bit from production, and find solutions in engineering. Like I've said numerous times: I'd rather spend a little extra on something more reliable.
Keep the supply low by toning down on the production numbers, but keep demand high by providing a bullet-proof product.
Not everyone learns from them. Not everyone finds a solution.
I hope Toyota will back off a bit from production, and find solutions in engineering. Like I've said numerous times: I'd rather spend a little extra on something more reliable.
Keep the supply low by toning down on the production numbers, but keep demand high by providing a bullet-proof product.
11-05-07, 01:25 PM
#6
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That's why I have put off from purchasing the Tundra. I want to make sure all the bugs are ironed out. The Tundra is the next vehicle I'll be purchasing, then the IS-F...
11-05-07, 01:56 PM
#7
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When I reviewed the V8, Limited, AWD version of this truck back last spring, I said then that it appeared to be a well-done truck under the surface.....chassis, drivetrain, frame, suspension, etc.... but that the skin, on the surface, needed a LOT of improvement. I found the sheet metal, trim, hardware, and some interior materials almost insultingly cheap....basically down in the caliber (no pun intended) of the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass.
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I had a 01 tundra, drove a 05 tundra,
11-05-07, 04:37 PM
#10
I had a 2005 Double Cab and thought the interior was much better than the new Tundra. The Tundra is also my next vehicle and I'm just waiting to see them take care of these problems as well.
11-06-07, 04:34 AM
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11-06-07, 10:57 AM
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The faulty camshafts on the Tundras were due to a defect during manufacturing from a supplier.
Toyota was outsourcing a lot of work to suppliers because the company's own resources were stretched so thin.
11-06-07, 11:26 AM
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Toyota is the ONLY company to apply Kaizen with suppliers. Where everyone else tells suppliers make X part at Y cost or we go elsewhere, Toyota will send engineers to the supplier to figure out a way to make it happen.
You do realize most of the car is from suppliers right? The car company does take responsibility for assembly.
Its like people boasting about what NAV system is best. The automaker did NOT make it. THey simply BOUGHT it from someone else.
If you have weak suppliers, your car will fail.
11-06-07, 11:40 AM
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This is roughly what happened with Toyota and the ES/Camry 6 speed tranny problems.
What you're saying is because a supplier made defective transmissions because the supplier didn't fully follow instructions it's Toyota's fault?
Toyota did take action, and they move to another supplier. Toyota likes to keep as much as possible in-house so problems like these with suppliers don't happen. In recent years, that wasn't possible because the company's resources were stretched so thin. Toyota now realizes this mistake and is expanding it's resources while also slowing down it's growth.