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Toyota Wants Better, More Efficient Facilities for Better Future Models

Toyota's ambition for building better cars goes beyond the company's recent introduction of a new TNGA platform (Toyota New Global Architecture) and will change how they see and approach production facilities in the future.
Toyota Sleeper Camry 1 photo
Photo: Toyota
According to Autonews, the Japanese car manufacturer will launch an offensive that will bring a new generation of 'ultraefficient assembly plants'. The solution is a logical and natural one, since Toyota will have to upgrade its facilities before switching the bulk of its production to low-cost modular platforms until 2020, as they plan.

In addition, Toyota is looking to hit a few targets that are thought to improve efficiency save money and boost revenues for the company in the coming years. For that to happen, Toyota's manufacturing goals include cutting capital investment by half when it comes to preparing a new production line (compared to 2008 level, in the middle of the financial crisis).

Moreover, the company will switch to 'simple and slim lines' that will require an initial investment 40% lower than currently needed. Furthermore, Toyota's future factories will also be 25% smaller in order to eat up less raw material and energy.

"No matter what product comes, we can process it the same way. The burden on the operators is reduced, and we can improve efficiences," said Hirofumi Muta, senior managing officer for production engineering at Toyota.

Toyota's recent orientation towards modular platforms allows them to keep up the pace with fellow - or rival, for that matter - carmakers such as Volkswagen and Nissan. The first Toyota cars based on the new TNGA underpinnings will be C-segment all-wheel drive models, including the Toyota Prius, Corolla and Lexus CT.
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