PORTS, BOATS, AND AUTOMOBILES
The distribution models employed by automobile importers such as Toyota and Honda are an important component of the automakers' general business strategies. Toyota's approach is dock-based; vehicles arriving in the U.S. from Japan are kept at the port for cleaning and customization. The dock becomes a satellite factory. This method has increased Toyota's flexibility, since it allows the company to produce high volumes of a particular model and then add accessories to meet regional tastes at the dock. In contrast, Honda's approach is dealer- based. This method gives Honda greater freedom to experiment and introduce new models. Because Honda introduces new products to the market more frequently, it needs to have a fast, efficient plant-to- dealer distribution method. Vehicles are customized at Honda dealerships rather than at the dock.
- Record URL:
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Supplemental Notes:
- Spring 2003
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Corporate Authors:
University of California Transportation Center (UCTC)
University of California, Berkeley
2614 Dwight Way, 2nd Floor
Berkeley, CA United States 94720-1782 -
Authors:
- HALL, P V
- Publication Date: 2003
Language
- English
Media Info
- Features: Photos;
- Pagination: p. 16-21
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Serial:
- Access
- Issue Number: 22
- Publisher: University of California Transportation Center (UCTC)
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automobiles; Landside operations (Ports); Logistics; Physical distribution; Port authorities
- Uncontrolled Terms: Dealer-based approach; Dock-based approach
- Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00965051
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
- Files: BTRIS, TRIS
- Created Date: Nov 3 2003 12:00AM