Toyota to competitors: Get ready to play catch-up again

After taking the number one spot from GM in the first quarter of 2007 and then turning out record profits for the fiscal year that ended March 31, you would think Toyota would kick-back and relax. Well it doesn’t seem like that the growing Japanese giant has any plans on taking it easier on other auto manufacturers. Toyota is now planning to raise the bar to another level with its Takaoka assembly plant.

In the midst of a makeover that is set to be completed in 2009, the Takaoka plant will build more models, faster, with shorter assembly lines than any other Toyota factory in the world. According to Automotive News, it will use innovative approaches in every aspect of manufacturing including stamping, welding, painting all the way to the final assembly.

“I am confident that the radical changes being adopted by the Takaoka plant will make it a model for Toyota plants of the future,” says Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe.

Watanabe also wants to save Toyota more money. The current cost-cutting program generated annual savings of $2.5 billion, which Watanabe believes is not enough.
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SupraNeverBack - 5/21/2007 12:38:17 PM

+3 Boost

Catch up again? why says "again" already since never catch up at the first place?

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 1:04:00 PM

+6 Boost

Wow. This company is nothing short of amazing- so many others would've just rested on their laurels.

lexusis350 - 5/21/2007 2:11:05 PM

+5 Boost

I think it's a smart idea. I mean, GM could regain their position or Hyundai could come close. Hyundai actually thinks they can outsell Toyota by 2009.

Alec - 5/21/2007 1:24:26 PM

+6 Boost

Dam Toyota, 2.5 billion dollars isnt enough for annual savings? Any other company would be relieved to even get 1 million in annual savings. The entire Toyota Motor Company is going to set a benchmark again.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 5/21/2007 2:39:26 PM

+6 Boost

Very impressive for a company.

Will_ - 5/21/2007 4:41:42 PM

+6 Boost

The headline of this article implies that Toyota is somehow on a war-path to demolish all other car manufacturers or something. They're not. They're just continuing practices that they've been doing for a long time now, which just happened to guide them to the Number One automotive company ever...

Need4Speed - 5/21/2007 6:06:50 PM

+5 Boost

Competition only improves the breed! The more Toyota continues to take away sales the more rabid other automakers will become in their pursuit of the Toyota "crown".

jt716 - 5/21/2007 7:14:10 PM

-1 Boost

Well I'm sorry the recent Toyota products are a disappointment especially the Yaris I was asked for advice from a family member who wants purchase a cheap good reliable good looking economical car. The car that fulfills that is the Mazda 3 and she loves the car a lot and can't wait to go back to Tampa and get one. Business plan wise Toyota is king

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 10:37:59 PM

+2 Boost

Does the fugly Yaris really comment with the 3? I don't think so. And that's a pretty bad example of a Toyota product.