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This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 24, 2009. Production Toyota and its affiliates produce automobiles and related parts and components through more than 50 manufacturing companies in 26 countries and regions around the world. Toyotas major manufacturing facilities include plants in Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Czech Republic, Thailand, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia and India. Daihatsu brand vehicles are produced at 4 factories in Japan and 6 manufacturing companies in 6 other countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Hino produces medium trucks for the North American market in Ontario, Canada and West Virginia, United States. In the United States, Toyota and General Motors Corporation operate a joint venture for the assembly of passenger cars and trucks. For a listing of Toyotas principal production facilities, see Information on the Company Property, Plants and Equipment.
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Table of ContentsIn recent years, Toyota has increased its production capacity outside Japan. This increase in local production corresponds with the increase in demand in each market. The reinforcement or establishment of production systems capable of responding flexibly to the rapidly fluctuating demands of each market are integral to Toyotas strategy. For example, changes made to the production system in North America include designating the Mississippi plant as the production facility of the Prius, instead of the Highlander as initially planned, and relieving the Indiana plant of its production responsibilities in respect of the Tundra, thereby making the Texas plant solely responsible for production of the Tundra in North America. In 2008, approximately 64% of Toyota automobiles sold in overseas markets were manufactured in overseas plants by Toyota and its unconsolidated affiliates. In 2008, approximately 57% of Toyota vehicles sold in North America were produced in North America. Of the vehicles sold in Europe in 2008, approximately 61% were produced in Europe. In fiscal 2009, Toyota produced on a consolidated basis approximately 4.3 million vehicles in Japan and approximately 2.8 million vehicles overseas, compared to approximately 5.1 million vehicles in Japan and 3.4 million vehicles overseas in fiscal 2008. In addition, in March 2006, Toyota entered into an agreement with FHI to manufacture vehicles at FHIs North American production center, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. The following table shows the worldwide vehicle unit production by Toyota for the periods shown. These production figures do not include vehicles produced by Toyotas unconsolidated affiliates. The sales unit information elsewhere in this annual report includes sales of vehicles produced by these affiliates. Vehicles produced by Daihatsu and Hino are included in vehicle production figures set forth below.
Toyota closely monitors its actual units of sale, market share and units of production data and uses this information to allocate resources to existing manufacturing facilities and to plan for future expansions. See Capital Expenditures and Divestitures for a description of Toyotas recent investments in completed plant constructions and for a description of Toyotas current investments in ongoing plant constructions. The Toyota Production System Toyota pioneered the internationally recognized production system known as the Toyota Production System. The Toyota Production System is based on Toyotas own concepts of efficient production of only necessary and quality products and efficient cost reduction, and has the following two principal elements:
Just-in-Time is an approach in which necessary parts and components are manufactured and delivered in just the right quantity in a timely manner just as they are needed. This allows Toyota to maintain low levels of inventory while maintaining operating efficiency. Jidoka is the ability to stop work immediately when problems arise in the production process to prevent manufacturing defective products. To achieve this, Toyotas equipment is designed to detect abnormalities and to stop whenever abnormalities occur. Toyota also authorizes its machine operators and other members of its production team to stop production whenever they note anything suspicious. This helps Toyota to build quality into the production process by avoiding defects and preventing the waste that would result from producing a series of defective items. Toyota believes that the Toyota Production System allows it to achieve mass-production efficiencies even for small production volumes. This system gives Toyota the flexibility to respond to changing consumer demand
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Table of Contentswithout significantly increasing production costs. While the Toyota Production System remains the basis of Toyotas automobile production, the system has been expanded for use in Toyotas parts production, logistics and customer service activities. In addition to the two principal elements described above, the Toyota Production System seeks to increase manufacturing efficiency and product quality internally through on-site identification and analysis of problems, improving transparency throughout the production process, and resolving problems at the source. As one means of realizing these goals, Toyota has introduced the use of sophisticated information technologies to improve each step of its vehicle development process, from product planning to commencement of mass-production. These technologies are intended to enhance flexibility, simplicity, quality, cost competitiveness, and speed. Specifically, detailed computer simulation of the assembly and test-run of a new vehicle or new vehicle production equipment or system is conducted before a prototype is made. An actual prototype is made only after defects and related issues have been identified and resolved by computer simulation, thereby minimizing the time required for rebuilding prototypes and significantly shortening the time required for production. Moreover, this system is used to prepare virtual factories and other visual aids in order to facilitate training and communication at overseas plants and enable the efficient transfer of necessary technology and skills. In order to strengthen manufacturing and promote localization of overseas production, Toyota established the Global Production Center (GPC) in July 2003 as a development and training center for global human resources. The GPC is intended to introduce local managers to the Toyota methodology, allowing them to train their subordinates with the local management. GPC develops efficient training systems and formulaic, simplified and easy-to-understand methodology. One characteristic of the GPC is that managers and supervisors, new hires and experienced workers can all receive common skill training. GPCs training system involves a pre-training phase where trainees learn basic skills and discover the skills that they must acquire through image training. This is followed by various steps, from basic skill training, elemental task training, to standard task training, which is a sure method of training. The fruits of this training method are reduced training time, higher levels of achievement and the efficiency of training. Since January 2006, Toyota has opened regional GPCs in North America, Europe and Asia. In each region, Toyota commenced courses where trainees from each department are trained by local trainers to become trainers themselves. Since its establishment, GPC had trained approximately 14,500 people in 6 years. With the aim of enhancing its competitive edge in self-manufacturing, Toyota, since 2001, has been developing and implementing the simple and user-friendly operation systems & facilities that can be handled by anyone, anywhere. Toyota is developing its innovative production system, facilities and processing technologies and is currently promoting it at a global level. This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 25, 2008. Production Toyota and its affiliates produce automobiles and related parts and components through more than 50 manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions around the world. Toyotas major manufacturing facilities include plants in Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Czech Republic, Thailand, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. Daihatsu brand vehicles are produced at 4 factories in Japan and 6 manufacturing companies in 6 other countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Hino produces medium trucks for the North American market in Ontario, Canada and West Virginia, United States. In the United States, Toyota and General Motors Corporation operate a joint venture for the assembly of passenger cars and trucks. For a listing of Toyotas principal production facilities, see Information on the Company Property, Plants and Equipment. In recent years, Toyota has increased its production capacity outside Japan. This increase in overseas production capacity is integral to Toyotas strategy of globalizing operations through localization. In 2007, approximately 61% of Toyota automobiles sold in overseas markets were manufactured in overseas plants by Toyota and its unconsolidated affiliates. In 2007, approximately 57% of Toyota vehicles sold in North America were produced in North America. Of the vehicles sold in Europe in 2007, approximately 64% were produced in Europe. In fiscal 2008, Toyota produced on a consolidated basis approximately 5.1 million vehicles in Japan and approximately 3.4 million vehicles overseas, compared to approximately 5.1 million vehicles in Japan and 3.1 million vehicles overseas in fiscal 2007. In addition, in March 2006, Toyota entered into an agreement with FHI to manufacture, according to Toyotas production methods and system, approximately 100 thousand units of Camrys for the North American market at FHIs North American production center, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., and began production in April 2007. This will enable Toyota to achieve further localization and increase production capacity in North America. The following table shows the worldwide vehicle unit production by Toyota for the periods shown. These production figures do not include vehicles produced by Toyotas unconsolidated affiliates. The sales unit information elsewhere in this annual report includes sales of vehicles produced by these affiliates. Vehicles produced by Daihatsu and Hino are included in vehicle production figures set forth below.
Toyota closely monitors its actual units of sale, market share and units of production data and uses this information to allocate resources to existing manufacturing facilities and to plan for future expansions. Please refer to Capital Expenditures and Divestitures for a description of Toyotas recent investments in completed plant constructions and for a description of Toyotas current investments in ongoing plant constructions. The Toyota Production System Toyota pioneered the internationally recognized production system known as the Toyota Production System. The Toyota Production System is based on Toyotas own concepts of efficient production and has the following two principal elements:
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Table of ContentsJust-in-Time is a production method through which necessary parts and components are manufactured and delivered in just the right quantity in a timely manner just as they are needed. This allows Toyota to maintain low levels of inventory while maintaining operating efficiency. Jidoka generally means automation in Japanese. Toyota combines automation with its ability to stop work immediately when problems arise in the production process to prevent manufacturing defective products. To achieve this, Toyotas equipment is designed to detect abnormalities and to stop whenever abnormalities occur. Toyota also authorizes its machine operators and other members of its production team to stop production whenever they note anything suspicious. This helps Toyota to build quality into the production process by avoiding defects and preventing the waste that would result from producing a series of defective items. Toyota believes that the Toyota Production System allows it to achieve mass-production efficiencies even for small production volumes. This system gives Toyota the flexibility to respond to changing consumer demand without significantly increasing production costs. While the Toyota Production System remains the basis of Toyotas automobile production, the system has been expanded for use in Toyotas parts production, logistics and customer service activities. In addition to the two principal elements described above, the Toyota Production System seeks to increase manufacturing efficiency and product quality internally through on-site identification and analysis of problems, improving transparency throughout the production process, and resolving problems at the source. As one means of realizing these goals, Toyota has introduced the use of sophisticated information technologies to improve each step of its vehicle development process, from product planning to commencement of mass-production. These technologies are intended to enhance flexibility, simplicity, quality, cost competitiveness, and speed. Specifically, detailed computer simulation of the assembly and test-run of a new vehicle or new vehicle production equipment or system is conducted before a prototype is made. An actual prototype is made only after defects and related issues have been identified and resolved by computer simulation, thereby minimizing the time required for rebuilding prototypes and significantly shortening the time required for production. Moreover, this system is used to prepare virtual factories and other visual aids in order to facilitate training and communication at overseas plants and enable the efficient transfer of necessary technology and skills. In order to strengthen manufacturing and promote localization of overseas production, Toyota established the Global Production Center (GPC) in July 2003 as a development and training center for global human resources. The GPC is intended to introduce local managers to the Toyota methodology, allowing them to train their subordinates with the local management. GPC develops efficient training systems and formulaic, simplified and easy to understand methodology. One characteristic of the GPC is that managers and supervisors, new hires and experienced workers can all receive common skill training. GPCs training system involves a pre-training phase where trainees learn basic skills and discover through image training the skills that they must acquire. This is followed by various steps, from basic skill training, elemental task training, to standard task training, which is a sure method of training. The fruits of this training method are reduced training time, higher levels of achievement and the efficiency of training. Since January 2006, Toyota has opened regional GPCs in North America, Europe and Asia. In each region, Toyota commenced courses where trainees from each department are trained by local trainers to become trainers themselves. Since its establishment, GPC had trained approximately 14,000 people in 5 years. With the aim of enhancing its competitive edge in self-manufacturing, Toyota, since 2001, has been developing and implementing the Simple and user-friendly operation systems & facilities that can be handled by anyone, anywhere. Toyota is developing its innovative production system, facilities and processing technologies and is currently promoting it at a global level. This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 25, 2007. Production Toyota and its affiliates produce automobiles and related components through more than 50 manufacturing companies in 26 countries and regions around the world. Toyotas major manufacturing facilities include plants in Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Thailand, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. Daihatsu brand vehicles are produced at 7 factories in Japan and 7 manufacturing companies in 7 other countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Hino commenced local production of medium trucks for the North American market in California in fiscal 2006 and in Ontario, Canada in fiscal 2007 to strengthen its business operations in North America. In the United States, Toyota and General Motors operate a joint venture for the assembly of passenger cars and trucks. For a listing of Toyotas principal production facilities, see Information on the Company Property, Plants and Equipment. In recent years Toyota has increased its production capacity outside Japan. This increase in overseas production capacity is integral to Toyotas strategy of globalizing operations through localization. In 2006, approximately 61% of Toyota automobiles sold in overseas markets were manufactured in overseas plants by Toyota and its unconsolidated affiliates. In 2006, approximately 55% of Toyota vehicles sold in North America were produced in North America. Of the vehicles sold in Europe in 2006, approximately 71% were produced in Europe. In fiscal 2007, Toyota produced on a consolidated basis approximately 5.1 million vehicles in Japan and approximately 3.1 million vehicles overseas, compared to approximately 4.7 million vehicles in Japan and 3.0 million vehicles overseas in fiscal 2006. In addition, in March 2006, Toyota entered into an agreement with Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. to manufacture, according to Toyotas production methods and system, approximately 100 thousand units of Camry for the North American market, at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.s North American production center, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., and began production in April 2007. This will enable Toyota to achieve further localization and increase production capacity in North America. After the cancellation of the joint venture agreement with the Bosch Group in December 2006, Toyota and its affiliate, AISIN AW acquired 33.4% and 16.6%, respectively, of the 50% of CVTECs shares held by the Bosch Group (as a result, AISIN AWs shareholding reached 66.6% including 50.0% which was originally held). Toyota plans to transfer technology to CVTEC, in order for CVTEC to achieve stable production of CVT belt utilizing Toyotas innovative techniques. The following table shows the worldwide vehicle unit production by Toyota for the periods shown. These production figures do not include vehicles produced by Toyotas unconsolidated affiliates. The sales unit information elsewhere in this annual report includes sales of vehicles produced by these affiliates. Vehicles produced by Daihatsu and Hino are included in vehicle production figures set forth below.
Toyota closely monitors its actual units of sale, market share and units of production data and uses this information to allocate resources to existing manufacturing facilities and to plan for future expansions. Please refer to Capital Expenditures and Divestitures for a description of Toyotas recent investments in completed plant constructions and for a description of Toyotas current investments in ongoing plant constructions.
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Table of ContentsThe Toyota Production System Toyota pioneered the internationally recognized production system known as the Toyota Production System. The Toyota Production System is based on Toyotas own concepts of efficient production and has the following two principal elements:
Just-in-Time is a production method through which necessary parts and components are manufactured and delivered in just the right quantity in a timely manner just as they are needed. This allows Toyota to maintain low levels of inventory while maintaining operating efficiency. Jidoka generally means automation in Japanese. Toyota combines automation with its ability to stop work immediately when problems arise in the production process to prevent manufacturing defective products. To achieve this, Toyotas equipment is designed to detect abnormalities and to stop whenever abnormalities occur. Toyota also authorizes its machine operators and other members of its production team to stop production whenever they note anything suspicious. This helps Toyota to build quality into the production process by avoiding defects and preventing the waste that would result from producing a series of defective items. Toyota believes that the Toyota Production System allows it to achieve mass-production efficiencies even for small production volumes. This system gives Toyota the flexibility to respond to changing consumer demand without significantly increasing production costs. While the Toyota Production System remains the basis of Toyotas automobile production, the system has been expanded for use in Toyotas parts production, logistics and customer service activities. In addition to the two principal elements described above, the Toyota Production System seeks to increase manufacturing efficiency and product quality internally through on-site identification and analysis of problems, improving transparency throughout the production process, and resolving problems at the source. As one means of realizing these goals, Toyota has introduced the use of sophisticated information technologies to improve each step of its vehicle development process, from product planning to commencement of mass-production. These technologies are intended to enhance flexibility, simplicity, quality, cost competitiveness, and speed. Specifically, detailed computer simulation of the assembly and test-run of a new vehicle or new vehicle production equipment or system is conducted before a prototype is made. An actual prototype is made only after defects and related issues have been identified and resolved by computer simulation, thereby minimizing the time required for rebuilding prototypes and significantly shortening the time required for production. Moreover, this system is used to prepare virtual factories and other visual aids in order to facilitate training and communication at overseas plants and enable the efficient transfer of necessary technology and skills. In order to strengthen manufacturing and promote localization of overseas production, Toyota established the Global Production Center (GPC) in July 2003 as a development and training center for global human resources. The GPC is intended to introduce local managers to the Toyota methodology, allowing them to manage locally, and train their subordinates. GPC develops efficient training systems and formulaic, simplified and easy to understand methodology. One characteristic of the GPC is that managers, new hires and experienced workers can all receive common skill training. GPCs training system involves a pre-training phase where trainees learn basic skills and discover through image training the skills that they must acquire. This is followed by various steps of training, from basic skill training, elementary task training, and standard task training, thereby conducting through training. Reduced training time and higher levels of achievement enabled the training system to be significantly more efficient. Since its establishment, GPC had trained over 10,000 people in 4 years. Since January 2006, Toyota has opened regional GPCs in North America, Europe and Asia. In each region, Toyota commenced courses where trainees from each department are trained by local trainers to become trainers themselves.
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Table of ContentsWith the aim of enhancing its competitive edge in self-manufacturing, Toyota, since 2002, has been developing and implementing the Simple and user-friendly operation systems & facilities that can be handled by anyone, anywhere. Toyota is developing its innovative production system, facilities and processing technologies and is currently promoting it at a global level. Cost Reduction Toyota continues to focus on reducing costs and improving efficiencies through various measures. One of these measures is the reduction in the number of platforms used in vehicle production. Platforms are the essential structures that form the base of different vehicle models. By using a common platform for the production of a greater number of models, Toyota believes that it will be able to decrease the substantial expenditures required to design and develop multiple platforms. In addition, Toyota believes that it will be able to achieve the scale benefits of producing larger volumes per platform, thereby reducing manufacturing cost per vehicle. In addition to platform reduction, Toyota continues to focus on other methods of increasing the commonality of parts and components used in different models. These steps include reducing model variations and the number of parts used in each model. Toyota is seeking to increase the efficiency of procurement from outside suppliers by making use of a common global database to enable plants in different areas of the world to purchase parts and materials from the most competitive sources. In addition, Toyota is engaged in the Value Innovation (VI) activity which is focused on systems-based cost innovation, going one step beyond item-based innovation. Adopting a new approach to designing, Toyota aims to achieve comprehensive cost reductions by treating associated parts as integrated systems. Toyotas ability to achieve these cost reductions is subject to a number of factors, some of which are not in Toyotas control. These factors include the successful implementation of the manufacturing processes described above, as well as the business and financial conditions of Toyotas suppliers and the general economic and political conditions in the markets in which these suppliers operate. This excerpt taken from the TM 6-K filed Nov 7, 2006. 1. Production
This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 26, 2006. Production Toyota and its affiliates produce automobiles and related components through more than 50 manufacturing organizations in 27 countries and regions around the world. Toyotas major manufacturing facilities include plants in Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina. Daihatsu brand vehicles are produced at 7 factories in Japan and 7 manufacturing companies in 7 other countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Hino commenced local production of medium trucks in California for the North American market in fiscal 2005 to strengthen its business operations in North America. In the United States, Toyota and General Motors operate a joint venture that assembles passenger cars and trucks. For a listing of Toyotas principal production facilities, see Information on the Company Property, Plants and Equipment. In recent years Toyota has increased its production capacity outside Japan. This increase in overseas production capacity is integral to Toyotas strategy of globalizing operations through localization. In 2005, approximately 62% of Toyota automobiles sold in overseas markets were manufactured in overseas plants by Toyota and its unconsolidated affiliates. In 2005, 61% of Toyota vehicles sold in North America were produced in North America. Of the vehicles sold in Europe in 2005, 60% were produced in Europe. In fiscal 2006, Toyota produced on a consolidated basis approximately 4.7 million vehicles in Japan and approximately 3.0 million vehicles overseas, compared to approximately 4.5 million vehicles in Japan and 2.7 million vehicles overseas in fiscal 2005. In addition, in March 2006, Toyota entered into an agreement with Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. to manufacture, according to Toyotas production methods and system, approximately 100,000 units of Camry for the North American market, at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.s North American production center, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., beginning in 2007. This agreement enables Toyota to achieve further localization and increase production capacity in North America. The following table shows the worldwide vehicle unit production by Toyota for the periods shown. These production figures do not include vehicles produced by Toyotas unconsolidated affiliates. The sales unit information elsewhere in this annual report includes sales of vehicles produced by these affiliates. Vehicles produced by Daihatsu and Hino are included in vehicle production numbers set forth below.
Toyota closely monitors its actual units of sale, market share and units of production data and uses this information to allocate resources to existing manufacturing facilities and to plan for future expansions. See Capital Expenditures and Divestitures for a description of Toyotas recent investments in completed plant constructions and for a description of Toyotas current investments in ongoing plant constructions. The Toyota Production System Toyota pioneered the internationally recognized production system known as the Toyota Production System. The Toyota Production System is based on Toyotas own concepts of efficient production and has the following two principal elements:
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Table of ContentsJust-in-Time is a production method through which necessary parts and components are manufactured and delivered in just the right quantity at the moment they are needed. This allows Toyota to maintain low levels of inventory while maintaining operating efficiency. Jidoka generally means automation in Japanese. Toyota combines automation with its ability to stop work immediately when problems arise in the production process to prevent manufacturing defective products. To achieve this, Toyota designs its equipment to detect abnormalities and to stop whenever abnormalities occur. Toyota also authorizes its machine operators and other members of its production team to stop production whenever they note anything suspicious. This permits Toyota to build quality into the production process by avoiding defects and preventing the waste that would result from producing a series of defective items. Toyota believes that the Toyota Production System allows it to achieve mass-production efficiencies over small and large production volumes. This gives Toyota the flexibility to respond to changing consumer demand without significantly increasing production costs. While the Toyota Production System remains the basis of Toyotas automobile production, the system has been expanded for use in Toyotas parts production, logistics and customer service activities. In addition to the two principal elements described above, the Toyota Production System seeks to increase manufacturing efficiency and product quality internally through on-site identification and analysis of problems, improving transparency throughout the production process, and resolving problems at the source. As one means of realizing these goals, Toyota has introduced the use of sophisticated information technologies to improve each step of its vehicle development process, from product planning to commencement of mass-production. These technologies are intended to enhance flexibility, simplicity, quality, cost competitiveness, and speed. Specifically, detailed computer simulation of the assembly and test-run of a new vehicle or new vehicle production equipment or system is conducted before a prototype is made. An actual prototype is made only after defects and related issues have been identified and resolved by computer simulation, thereby minimizing the time required for rebuilding prototypes and significantly shortening production lead times. Moreover, this system is used to prepare virtual factories and other visual aids in order to facilitate training and communication at overseas plants and enable the efficient transfer of necessary technology and skills. In order to strengthen manufacturing and promote localization of overseas production, Toyota established the Global Production Center in July 2003 as a development and training center for global human resources. The GPC is intended to introduce local managers to the Toyota methodology, allowing them to manage locally, and train their subordinates. GPC develops efficient training systems and formulaic, simplified and easy to understand methodology. One characteristic of the GPC is that managers, new hires and experienced workers can all receive common skill training. GPCs training system involves a pre-training phase where trainees learn basic skills and discover through image training the skills that they must acquire. This is followed by various steps of training, from basic skill training, elementary task training, and standard task training, thereby conducting thorough training. Reduced training time and higher levels of achievement enabled the training system to be significantly more efficient. Since its establishment, GPC had trained over 6,200 people as of October 31, 2005. Cost Reduction Toyota continues to focus on reducing costs and improving efficiencies through various measures. One of these measures is the reduction in the number of platforms used in vehicle production. Platforms are the essential structures that form the base of different vehicle models. By using a common platform for the production of a greater number of models, Toyota believes that it will be able to decrease the substantial expenditures required to design and develop multiple platforms. In addition, Toyota believes that it will be able to achieve the scale benefits of producing larger volumes per platform, thereby reducing manufacturing cost per vehicle. In addition to platform reduction, Toyota continues to focus on other methods of increasing the commonality of parts and components used in different models. These steps include reducing model variations
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Table of Contentsand the number of parts used in each model. Toyota is seeking to increase the efficiency of procurement from outside suppliers by making use of a common global database to enable plants in different areas of the world to purchase parts and materials from the most competitive sources. In addition, Toyota is engaged in the Value Innovation (VI) activity which is focused on systems-based cost innovation, going one step beyond item-based innovation. Adopting a new approach to designing, Toyota aims to achieve comprehensive cost reductions by treating associated parts as integrated systems. Toyotas ability to achieve these cost reductions is subject to a number of factors, some of which are not in Toyotas control. These factors include the successful implementation of the manufacturing processes described above, as well as the business and financial conditions of Toyotas suppliers and the general economic and political conditions in the markets in which these suppliers operate. This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 24, 2005. Production
Toyota and its affiliates produce automobiles and related components through more than 50 manufacturing organizations in 27 countries and regions around the world. Toyotas major manufacturing facilities include plants in Japan, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina. Daihatsu brand vehicles are produced at seven factories in Japan and six manufacturing companies in six other countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia. Hino commenced local production of medium trucks in California for the North American market in fiscal 2005 to strengthen its business operations in North America. In the United States, Toyota and General Motors operate a joint venture that assembles passenger cars and trucks. For a listing of Toyotas principal production facilities, see Information on the Company Property, Plants and Equipment.
In recent years Toyota has increased its production capacity outside Japan. This increase in overseas production capacity is integral to Toyotas strategy of globalizing operations through localization. In 2004, approximately 63% of Toyota automobiles manufactured for the sale in overseas markets were manufactured in overseas plants by Toyota and its unconsolidated affiliates. In 2004, 64% of Toyota vehicles manufactured for
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Table of Contentsthe sale in North America were produced in North America. Of the vehicles manufactured for the sale in Europe in 2004, 57% were produced in Europe, an increase from 53% in 2003. This increase is largely due to increased sales of the Yaris and the Avensis, which are produced at production facilities in France and the United Kingdom. In fiscal 2005, Toyota produced on a consolidated basis approximately 4.5 million vehicles in Japan and approximately 2.7 million vehicles overseas, compared to approximately 4.3 million vehicles in Japan and 2.2 million vehicles overseas in fiscal 2004.
The following table shows the worldwide vehicle unit production by Toyota for the periods shown. These production figures do not include vehicles produced by Toyotas unconsolidated affiliates. The sales unit information elsewhere in this annual report includes sales of vehicles produced by these affiliates. Vehicles produced by Daihatsu are included in vehicle production numbers set forth below. Vehicles produced by Hino are included in the vehicle production numbers set forth below beginning in October 2001.
Toyota closely monitors its actual units of sale, market share and units of production data and uses this information to allocate resources to existing manufacturing facilities and to plan for future expansions.
See Capital Expenditures and Divestitures for a description of Toyotas recent investments in completed plant constructions and for a description of Toyotas current investments in ongoing plant constructions.
The Toyota Production System
Toyota pioneered the internationally recognized production system known as the Toyota Production System. The Toyota Production System is based on Toyotas own concepts of efficient production and has the following two principal elements:
The just-in-time method is a production method through which necessary parts and components are manufactured and delivered in just the right quantity at the moment they are needed. This allows Toyota to maintain low levels of inventory while maintaining operating efficiency.
Jidoka generally means automation in Japanese. Toyota combines automation with its ability to stop work immediately when problems arise in the production process to prevent the production of defective products. To achieve this, Toyota designs its equipment to detect abnormalities and to stop whenever abnormalities occur. Toyota also authorizes its machine operators and other members of its production team to stop production whenever they note anything suspicious. This permits Toyota to build quality into the production process by avoiding defects and preventing the waste that would result from producing a series of defective items.
Toyota believes that the Toyota Production System allows it to achieve mass-production efficiencies over small and large production volumes. This gives Toyota the flexibility to respond to changing consumer demand without significantly increased production costs. While the Toyota Production System remains the basis of Toyotas automobile production, the system has been expanded for use in Toyotas parts production, logistics and customer service activities.
In addition to the two principal elements described above, the Toyota Production System seeks to increase manufacturing efficiency and product quality internally through on-site identification and analysis of problems, improving transparency throughout the production process, and resolving problems at the source. As one means
20
Table of Contentsof realizing these goals, Toyota has introduced the use of sophisticated information technologies to improve each step of its vehicle development process, from product planning to commencement of mass-production. These technologies are intended to enhance flexibility, simplicity, quality, cost competitiveness, and speed. Specifically, detailed computer simulation of the assembly and test-run of a new vehicle or new vehicle production equipment or system is conducted before a prototype is made. An actual prototype is made only after defects and related issues have been identified and resolved by computer simulation, thereby minimizing the time required for rebuilding prototypes and significantly shortening production lead times. Moreover, this system is used to prepare virtual factories and other visual aids in order to facilitate training and communication at overseas plants and enable the efficient transfer of necessary technology and skills.
To improve efficiency in the manufacturing of auto bodies, Toyota has developed a Global Body Line that enables the use of the same general specifications for both small-quantity and mass production lines. This simple and flexible production system offers considerable advantages over previous flexible body manufacturing systems, and has already been implemented in 30 out of Toyotas 37 body production lines worldwide as of March 31, 2005.
Cost Reduction
Toyota continues to focus on reducing costs and improving efficiencies through various measures. One of these measures is the reduction in the number of platforms used in vehicle production. Platforms are the essential structures that form the base of different vehicle models. By using a common platform for the production of a greater number of models, Toyota believes that it will be able to decrease the substantial expenditures required to design and develop multiple platforms. In addition, Toyota believes that it will be able to achieve the scale benefits of producing larger volumes per platform, thereby reducing manufacturing cost per vehicle.
In addition to platform reduction, Toyota continues to focus on other methods of increasing the commonality of parts and components used in different models. These steps include reducing model variations and the number of parts used in each model. Toyota is seeking to increase the efficiency of procurement from outside suppliers by making use of a common global database to enable plants in different parts of the world to purchase parts and materials from the most competitive sources.
Toyotas ability to achieve these cost reductions is subject to a number of factors, some of which are not in Toyotas control. These factors include the successful implementation of the manufacturing processes described above, as well as the business and financial conditions of Toyotas suppliers and the general economic and political conditions in the markets in which these suppliers operate.
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