U.S. SMALL CARS: SINK OR SWIM?
Despite recent developments, U.S. carmakers will not abandon a large market by halting small-car production from their U.S. plants. Thus, GM maintains that despite appearances, it intends to remain very much a small-car producer as time goes by. Evidence shows that in the future U.S. automakers will place far greater emphasis on stateside manufacturing solutions aimed at putting small-car production into the black and rely less on political and economic relief to protect their flanks. It is expected that very soon GM and its domestic competitors will cut down the cost advantage of Japanese cars. This will be done by discarding outmoded assembly-line philosophy, adopting new car building methodologies, lengthening cost-justification and return on investment horizons for capital expenditures, offering greater variety of models and options, emphasizing safety and corrosion-resistance, developing and implementing new technology and software faster than the Japanese, and improving management-union relationship to better utilize human resources. It is believed that 25% of the subcompact's cost can be eliminated with highly automated plants and forcing technology improvements through the supplier chain. Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM) and the entire concept of integrating product design, engineering and manufacturing assisted by computers offers the best opportunity for major cost reductions in producing cars regardless of size.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2244862
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Corporate Authors:
Ward's Communications Incorporated
28 West Adams Street
Detroit, MI United States 48226 -
Authors:
- WINTER, D
- Publication Date: 1984-5
Media Info
- Pagination: 7 p.
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Serial:
- Ward's Auto World
- Volume: 20
- Issue Number: 5
- Publisher: Ward's Communications
- ISSN: 0043-0315
- Serial URL: http://wardsauto.com
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automobile industry; Compact automobiles; Computer aided design; Computer aided manufacturing; Costs; Domestic transportation; Foreign automobiles; Labor relations; Management; Policy; Software; Subcompact automobiles; Technology
- Old TRIS Terms: Domestic cars; Foreign vehicles; Management policies; Small car; Subcompact cars
- Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00396506
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 557
- Files: HSL, USDOT
- Created Date: Aug 31 1985 12:00AM