Toyota is introducing a new process aimed at improving new vehicle development efficiency and reduce costs.
The Toyota New Global Architecture is a complete overhaul of the company’s development process and will allow for a variety of vehicles to be developed simultaneously through increased sharing of parts.
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The Nikkei business newspaper also noted that this also means at least a partial departure from Toyota’s coordinated development method.
The newspaper added that the global economic crisis in 2008 brought about Toyota’s first ever operating deficit, prompting it to cut costs through a freeze on new investments and also to review the development of new cars.
The change has already seen a departure from Toyota’s long-held policy of developing everything on its own. It has already decided to introduce BMW technology for its diesel engines while it has developed the GT86 sports car together with Subaru brand owner Fuji Heavy Industries.
Toyota’s new system will see further sharing of engines and other core components for separate vehicles of the same size although the Nikkei added this may inhibit the degree of design freedom and the need for adjustments because the use of core components is preset. It will likely limit the allowance designers have in parts choice.
Toyota currently has around 30 engines but with 800 variations, thanks to variants to meet the demands of different markets, according to sources close to the carmaker.
