5/9/2009
NEWS BRIEFS
Toyota’s Jones to IFE: Auto Market Will Rev Up

More vehicles are being scrapped than sold and an estimated 900,000 vehicle purchases have been deferred, a Toyota executive pointed out to the Wire Association International as indicators the automotive market will come back.

Cheryl Jones, vice president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc., explained that the automaker is being up front with its employees in letting them understand the situation and finding ways to save jobs. The goal is to improve operations by working with employees to create a workforce that remains involved.

Toyota’s North American sales were down 15.7% to 2.2 million for 2008, compared with the overall automotive market dropping 18.3%.

Speaking at Interwire/International Fastener & Precision Formed Parts Manufacturing trade shows, Jones explained that Toyota is surviving by cutting production while maintaining jobs, cutting executive pay, reducing or eliminating bonuses, slowed production lines, a voluntary exit program and reduced energy costs.Toyota is maintaining its $8.39 billion research and development program, she emphasized.

Finding practical ways to make a difference is highly encouraged at Toyota, Jones said. She cited the example of adapting an electrode with a threaded end so it can be replaced simpler or using a simple grabber tool from Lowe’s to make it easier for employees to install an antenna on a car roof. “Ideas like that add up,” Jones said.

In the past year Toyota has opened plants in Ontario, West Virginia and Texas and now employs 36,600 Americans plus 177,000 dealer and supplier jobs.

Jones concluded that the key to success is to “listen to what customers say they want and then provide it to them in a quality way.”

Related Links:

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