US Yaris to be imported from France ?

[carolinablue]

That would eliminate the very reason for purchasing a Yaris... 100% Japanese parts and assembly. I have read that the French version, while a decent vehicle, in no measures up to the all Japaneses version. It also would in all likelyhood make it harder to get exact fit OEM parts for 2012 Japanese Yaris owners.

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by carolinablue

That would eliminate the very reason for purchasing a Yaris... 100% Japanese parts and assembly. I have read that the French version, while a decent vehicle, in no measures up to the all Japaneses version. It also would in all likelyhood make it harder to get exact fit OEM parts for 2012 Japanese Yaris owners.

The Toyota Production System virtually eliminates quality variations from the same vehicle produced in different plants.

[why?]

Originally Posted by Billiam

The Toyota Production System virtually eliminates quality variations from the same vehicle produced in different plants.

It is that virtually that is the problem. Just like VW's and BMW's made in Germany are much better than those made in the US, Toyota's made in Japan are better than those from the US, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are better than the ones in France. The Japanese simply take more pride in what they do.

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by why?

...Toyota's made in Japan are better than those from the US...

That's because, like a lot of people, you are preprogrammed to believe that. I'll say the same thing I always say with this argument.....prove it. And I don't mean that your uncle's brother's cousin's mechanic said it....I mean real-world hard evidence.

[why?]

Originally Posted by Billiam

That's because, like a lot of people, you are preprogrammed to believe that. I'll say the same thing I always say with this argument.....prove it. And I don't mean that your uncle's brother's cousin's mechanic said it....I mean real-world hard evidence.

I did. Read what I wrote again. In every case, manufacturing plants in the auto manufacturers home country were superior to manufacturing plants in the US. It is even true of US car makers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler plants in foreign countries put out better cars than the plants in the US.

And this isn't even about the plague of humanity called unions, it is about how other specific countries go about what they do for a living. In both germany and japan people care more about the quality of their work than they do in this country, especially when it comes to car production.

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by why?

I did. Read what I wrote again. In every case, manufacturing plants in the auto manufacturers home country were superior to manufacturing plants in the US. It is even true of US car makers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler plants in foreign countries put out better cars than the plants in the US.

And this isn't even about the plague of humanity called unions, it is about how other specific countries go about what they do for a living. In both germany and japan people care more about the quality of their work than they do in this country, especially when it comes to car production.

Unions get the blame for a lot of bad things...some deserved...some not. The downfall of the Big 3 had much more to do with poor planning, poor designs, poor engineering and poor management in general than it did with the assembly line worker.

As for your assertion that the "American" worker doesn't care as much for what they do as their Germans and Japanese counterparts is both incorrect and, quite frankly, offensive...and clearly based on some sort of predisposed idea.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Billiam

As for your assertion that the "American" worker doesn't care as much for what they do as their Germans and Japanese counterparts is both incorrect and, quite frankly, offensive...and clearly based on some sort of predisposed idea.

I am proud to be an American and what we as a nation have the ability to do. If I didn't feel that way I would not have served our military. That being said this country has fled from its roots of hard work and ethics that our grandparents and parents attempted to instill in our generation (those born in mid 60s to 90s). Today's Americans are the people of entitlement. Today's youth is a primary example. The bulk of them believe they have the RIGHT, not privilege to for example a brand new car when they turn 16, 17, or 18 without having to work a lick for it. The same goes for their college funds. This is reflected constantly in every day life as well as the media. This driving force is what is also reflected in society's job force here in the US. There is more than just cheaper labor as a reason to hire illegals or outsource there is also the plain fact that other cultures still have the hard work ethic instilled in their societies. It is sad to say that today hard work and integrity is an exception not the rule outside of strictly controlled environments. This is a primary reason why many employers that I have worked with as clients have video surveillance in their places of work. It is not just to prevent theft, etc. It is also to observe and weed out the lazy folks that have blanketed the workforce and caused the downturn in quality and output. The whole mentality of "I don't get paid enough to do that" is rampant and needs to be cut off at the knees. Like I said, this could turn political and ethical pretty quick. The bottom line is that IF Toyota France DOES export their stock to US shores only time will tell if they meet the same standards as found in Japan for example.

[why?]

Originally Posted by Billiam

Unions get the blame for a lot of bad things...some deserved...some not. The downfall of the Big 3 had much more to do with poor planning, poor designs, poor engineering and poor management in general than it did with the assembly line worker.

As for your assertion that the "American" worker doesn't care as much for what they do as their Germans and Japanese counterparts is both incorrect and, quite frankly, offensive...and clearly based on some sort of predisposed idea.

yawn. Let's revisit history. BMW opened a brand new plant in South Carolina. All of a sudden BMW's had quality issues. People looking for BWM's made sure they only bought cars that were straight from germany. The sources of the quality issues lead directly to the SC plant.

VW has several plants in the US. They also have make some vehicles for the US in Germany. People search out cars made from Germany and avoid the ones from the US. Just go check out any vw forums and you will see people recommending this.

Most Japanese and Korean car makers now have plants in the USA and their home countries. In every single case people seek out vehicles made in the foreign countries and avoid ones made in the US.

I could go on, but I don't see the point. People aren't dumb, they are going to make decisions that make the best sense for themselves. In the case of automobiles avoiding american made ones is just better sense.

Let's not talk about the big 3. The only one that should still even exist is Ford. Both GM and Chrysler should have died a long time ago. The country would be much better off with whatever is going to take their place when both companies do officially die. To string it out hurts everyone, especially Americans who truly have good ideas and the ability to make great things happen.

Pretend to be offended all you want. I really couldn't care less. If Americans actually gave a damn about anything any more they would have the decency to all pay attention and educate themselves on the one thing that we can all do, vote. Yet at most 1/3 of the country votes. And judging from our last presidential election even those that voted didn't pay too much attention. That says everything.

If you let it the truth will set you free.

[carolinablue]

Originally Posted by Billiam

The Toyota Production System virtually eliminates quality variations from the same vehicle produced in different plants.

Please prove this unsubstantiated "fact".

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by carolinablue

Please prove this unsubstantiated "fact".

You should Google "Toyota Production System" and read up on how Toyota produces vehicles.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Billiam

You should Google "Toyota Production System" and read up on how Toyota produces vehicles.

It was noted during the investigations into the pedal sticking issue, etc that Toyota's QoS was not on par in the plants in NA as they are in Japan. This could turn into a sticky wicket and seriously political quick so I will only say I wouldn't count out a Yaris built in France as long as it was proven through time that they are of the same build quality as Japan.

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by fnkngrv

....pedal sticking issue...

This was not a assembly line related issue. Completely out of the hands of the people putting the vehicle together.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by Billiam

This was not a assembly line related issue. Completely out of the hands of the people putting the vehicle together.

That isn't the point. The point is that an investigation was made and certain realizations about the quality of vehicles assembled in NA for Toyota was not on par with Japan.