Toyota suspended U.S. sales of some of its most popular vehicles — including the best-selling car in America, the Camry — to fix sticking gas pedals that could make the cars accelerate without warning.In another blow to the world's No. 1 automaker, Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it would halt some production at six assembly plants beginning the week of Feb. 1 "to assess and coordinate activities."
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Toyota has a quality program called "SIX SIGMA". They've sold many other large companies
ReplyDeleteon this program. Am I the only person out there that has serious doubts about "SIX SIGMA" ? In anycase, I'm glad I don't own one !
The Six Sigma quality assurance concept has been around for many years. This business program is partly responsible for Toyota's unprecedented climb to success.
ReplyDeleteI remember back when this whole idea was developed by Motorola Corp. with the consumer's satisfaction uppermost in the product. General Motors would not be in the shape it is today had they implemented a similar program and not been so haughty in their sales attitude toward quality and customer reliance.
The faulty gas pedals were manufactured in the United States by CTS Corp of Elkhart,Ind. The part was designed by Toyota and was produced by other contractors also,including Canada. Toyota said the problem was rare and is caused by condensation that builds up over a period of time in the gas pedal assembly. I would imagine that even if Toyota had their own final assembly inspection team on the floor, they still wouldn't have caught the problem. It's a part that probably should have had more time elapse testing,especially with a non metal component that supposedly was the culprit.
I've seen this same problem occur with muli million dollar prototypes made for the US government by major mobile manufacturers. The crux of this matter, unfortunately does involve lives. As with Buick, when upon a head on impact the hood would come through the windscreen and shear the heads off the occupants. Tech change - circa 1957 Le Sabre.
Google- Six Sigma Origin.
My friend who works at Ford always says the more cars you build, the tougher quality control becomes. I always thought it was a rationalization, but it's proven true for Toyota.
ReplyDeletegeewhy, that statement is a truism. Especially when the production is jobbed out to achieve more volume. Throw in an increase of more models of selection and the water gets deeper. Toyota is a much better swimmer than the rest....so far.
ReplyDeleteTypo on statement regarding "Buick Tech change"... year should be 1967. Sorry about that.
ReplyDelete