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Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

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Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Toyota is building one of the most reliable and robust cars for the masses. With attitude to build cars they will be competitive for very long.

But Toyota isn’t on top of the reliability rankings.

My new Tacoma is garbage, so many electric/computer problems and under 20k miles. Has spent at least 4 weeks in shop during first year of owning it.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#83
post #79

> establishing a culture of quality control that helped Toyota evolve into a world-leading automaker. A lot of the JIT stuff that is so common, these days, was revolutionary, when he introduced it. I'm told that many agile techniques also had their genesis in his work.

I wonder if Deming ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming#Japan ) contributed to the Toyota Way? A lot of the Toyota Way seems inspired by his teachings.

I believe so.

He is almost revered, in Japan.

I'm told he was laughed out of the US, which is why he set up shop in Japan.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#84
post #30

The Toyota Production System was established during Shoichiro Toyoda's leadership. It is the company's "operating system" if you will, and has made an enormous impact, both in the auto industry and in other fields such as IT. "Lean" manufacturing, a term from Womack & Jones, is based on their research into this. If you want to dive in, here is my reading list for essential books on how Toyota came to build high quali…

Great list. I would strongly suggest reading Ward's Lean Product and Process Developer, or if you have, adding it to the list. It focuses entirely on product development rather than manufacturing -- so easier to apply to software development!

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#85
post #79

> establishing a culture of quality control that helped Toyota evolve into a world-leading automaker. A lot of the JIT stuff that is so common, these days, was revolutionary, when he introduced it. I'm told that many agile techniques also had their genesis in his work.

I wonder if Deming ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming#Japan ) contributed to the Toyota Way? A lot of the Toyota Way seems inspired by his teachings.

He probably had an influence but I find it curious that he always gets brought up around these topics, as if he's the primary explanatory variable for Japanese manufacturing success.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#86
post #31

Lots of people saying Toyota missed the boat on EVs. I'm not convinced the technology, infrastructure or battery supply is ready for true mass production of EVs. Toyota makes 10 million cars a year, they'll be selling good EVs soon enough to put Tesla to shame.

Millions of EVs are now sold per year. It's still a small percent of total car but increasing rapidly and while all other manufacturers are spending time and money building up expertise and infrastructure Toyota is ignoring it.

Switching from ICE to EV is not easy and takes years to do so and the later Toyota delays it the more painful it will be.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#87
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an owner of BEV (Skoda Enyaq) I agree with this sentiment. My experience is that BEVs are expensive to purchase and expensive to use. This is a niche car for rich people, not Toyota Prius for common folk. I am currently getting rid of the car and going back to ICE because my whole experience was a painful joke. Toyota is getting ridiculed today, but they will be last one who will be laughing, when prices for BEV a…

However the whole EU market can't return to ICEs because of fleet emission limits, which are now 95g CO2/km and from 2025 will be 15% lower, with other changes too. So my guess is, people who can afford it (including charging infra) will have EVs which will get better and more expensive and the rest will not buy new cars. Maybe the market will shift to smaller forms of mobility, we'll see.

The EU also, just within the last few days, banned new combustion vehicle sales starting 2035. Burn the ships, there will be no going back.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#88
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For the batteries in each EV, you could make 7 plug-in hybrids. That's 1 full electric and 6 gas cars, vs 7 plug-in hybrids. I think Toyota's approach would save more emissions so long as we are battery constrained.

A lot of people who own plug-in hybrids don't really ever plug them in which makes them worse than gasoline cars or non-plugin hybrids because of added weight.

Do we actually have proof for this or is just FUD, to be frank?

I heard the same thing but then after talking to some owners, sure, the ones that couldn't easily charge them did that, but everyone that could charge them, did, and liked it.

The electric motor is zippy, the car is silent, the range is enough for the average commute.

They generally like it and what you're saying sounds more like a early days myth.

I could be wrong, the world is a big place.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#89
post #85
post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if Deming ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming#Japan ) contributed to the Toyota Way? A lot of the Toyota Way seems inspired by his teachings.

He probably had an influence but I find it curious that he always gets brought up around these topics, as if he's the primary explanatory variable for Japanese manufacturing success.

I learned about him only recently and despite his supposedly strong influence, he isn't talked about much.

Re: Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died

#90
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an owner of BEV (Skoda Enyaq) I agree with this sentiment. My experience is that BEVs are expensive to purchase and expensive to use. This is a niche car for rich people, not Toyota Prius for common folk. I am currently getting rid of the car and going back to ICE because my whole experience was a painful joke. Toyota is getting ridiculed today, but they will be last one who will be laughing, when prices for BEV a…

However the whole EU market can't return to ICEs because of fleet emission limits, which are now 95g CO2/km and from 2025 will be 15% lower, with other changes too. So my guess is, people who can afford it (including charging infra) will have EVs which will get better and more expensive and the rest will not buy new cars. Maybe the market will shift to smaller forms of mobility, we'll see.

I am coming from an Eastern Block. It was quite common during communism to drive 20-30 years old cars. I think that Eastern Europe will teach the western part how to properly stagnate.
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