In the past few weeks, we have been discussing the critical safety quality issue that caused human life and a major recall of automobiles of a local manufacturing plant. The latest news of this issue is the the President of Toyota, Mr. Toyoda and chief operating officer Lentz apologized to the American government and the American people for their failures.
Toyota representatives, and Mr.Akio Toyoda (Japan president and grandson of the founder) himself, had to appear in front of a congressional hearing to answer questions as to when they knew of the safety issues, and why they prolonged a corrective action to resolve the issue. The news article, obtained from FoxNew, suggests that Toyota received a public flogging for how they neglected to handle this issue in a timely manner, and continued to manufacture vehicles with this defect. Lawmakers and investigators alike, believe that Toyota drug their feet. They not only did not issue a timely the recall of vehicles already manufactured, but continued to manufacture vehicles with the defective components.
In addition to lawmakers, investigators, and Toyota testifying at the hearing, customers had the opportunity to testify. One of the Customers,Rhonda Smith, a Tennessee woman who said she had a "near death experience", criticized Toyota for "being so greedy and NHTSA for failing to do their jobs". Smith like many other customer or victims, wants justice for these callous behavior on both Toyota and NHTSA.
Lentz ended the day of hearings by apologizing for the slow handling of problems, and stated "they had not lived up to their own standards that customers have come to expect". He also confirmed that the "fix" may not be enough, they continue to be vigilant and continue to investigate all complaints". The manufacturing is still investigating to determine true root cause of the issue, they believe other factors may have contributed. Lawmakers are not satisfied with the incomplete answers that Toyota presented at the congressional hearings.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Ethics, Does it still apply in Manufacturing
In the past few blogs, I have addressed a local automotive manufacturing that has had a repeated issue with poor quality, that was a critical safety issue as well. Our government agencies contributed to the problem because they knew there was an issue and looked the other way.
Unfortunately, the automotive manufacture has received a sympathetic ear from state officials, due to the fact that they are a large employer in the area, our government does not want to offend them. The Kentucky Governor has praised Toyota for their leadership and employment opportunities for the state. He does not seem very upset to the fact that they knew about this design issue for several years.
What is so sad, the only reason a recall was not announced prior to Jan 10, was that profit was a priority over customer safety. This type of business decision is clearly irresponsible to the customers. President Kennedy, established some basic rights for the consumer in the 60's, unfortunately they have been violated repeatedly by Toyota and other manufacturing facilities. Ford Motor company did the same thing with the recall concern the Firestone tires in the 90's
Unfortunately, the automotive manufacture has received a sympathetic ear from state officials, due to the fact that they are a large employer in the area, our government does not want to offend them. The Kentucky Governor has praised Toyota for their leadership and employment opportunities for the state. He does not seem very upset to the fact that they knew about this design issue for several years.
What is so sad, the only reason a recall was not announced prior to Jan 10, was that profit was a priority over customer safety. This type of business decision is clearly irresponsible to the customers. President Kennedy, established some basic rights for the consumer in the 60's, unfortunately they have been violated repeatedly by Toyota and other manufacturing facilities. Ford Motor company did the same thing with the recall concern the Firestone tires in the 90's
Monday, February 15, 2010
Safety, who is the government really protecting
Last weeks blog, the cost of Quality in manufacturing was discussed. The local Toyota manufacturing facility has had and continues to have Quality issues. This issue is not only a Quality issue, but a critical safety issue. The Herald leader has had several follow up article to inform us of the status of the situation. In the Feb 15, 2010 issue of the Herald leader, the headline read "records show automaker hired former regulators to influence safety agency".
According to the article, Toyota hired former regulators that helped end four federal investigation of unintended acceleration by company vehicles in the last decade, preventing possible recalls. These former regulator persuaded the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to end the investigations into possible acceleration concerns with vehicles.
These gentlemen should not have been permitted to represent Toyota in these hearings, yet it was permitted by current NHTSA officials. This should have been considered a conflict of interest, and should be spelled out in the agency's code of conduct.
The NHTSA main goal should be to protect, and assure our safety on the highways and transportation systems. Someone needs to answer for the misconduct, and correction made to prevent any future unethical actions that leads to the dismissed probe into critical safety concerns with any company. If the folks in charge at NHTSA can be so easily influenced to "look the other way", then we don't have the right folks in those positions. We need folks in government positions that are dedicated to the job that they have accepted and are being paid to perform.
According to the article, Toyota hired former regulators that helped end four federal investigation of unintended acceleration by company vehicles in the last decade, preventing possible recalls. These former regulator persuaded the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to end the investigations into possible acceleration concerns with vehicles.
These gentlemen should not have been permitted to represent Toyota in these hearings, yet it was permitted by current NHTSA officials. This should have been considered a conflict of interest, and should be spelled out in the agency's code of conduct.
The NHTSA main goal should be to protect, and assure our safety on the highways and transportation systems. Someone needs to answer for the misconduct, and correction made to prevent any future unethical actions that leads to the dismissed probe into critical safety concerns with any company. If the folks in charge at NHTSA can be so easily influenced to "look the other way", then we don't have the right folks in those positions. We need folks in government positions that are dedicated to the job that they have accepted and are being paid to perform.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Quality does cost $$
The Saturday Feb,5 2010 Lexington Herald Leader had an article concerning the current Quality issues that a local Toyota manufacturing plant has experienced the last couple of weeks. This issue has not only made local news, but national news as well, due to the fact that is was a critical safety issue and the quantity of vehicles involved with this recall.
The article raises the question, are manufacturing companies cutting to deep in an effort to remain competitive, or meet the company profit goals? We are finding many companies are cutting positions, and tasks to remain profitable. The author speculates that this is a contributing factor to the root cause of this problem.
One of the areas that is the first to be cut during a recession is the Quality department, therefore the disruption of procedures jeopardizes the Quality of products that are being manufactured.
The Quality department has several functions within a manufacturing company; one of which is testing to assure proper performance in the field. Every component, or sub-assembled part has to meet certain specifications, both dimensionally as well a test requirements. The test specification often simulate in field conditions, including environmental conditions, mating parts to assure no interferes issues, and often a part will be functioned to failure. An example, of a functional test, would be a window regulator, installed in a door skin (simulating the car door) cycled a specific number of times with a certain amount of weight to simulate the glass, then the same part will be cycled under certain environmental conditions to test the durability of the plastic component pieces and parts
These tasks do require technical folks that are often well compensated for their abilities and knowledge; to many of the top management these folks do not "add value" to the product, therefore these positions are considered a cost to manufacture. However, in contrast, they prevent scrap, an internal failure, and product failure in the field, therefore assuring a satisfied customer. An example of the importance of quality in manufacturing is the sticking accelerate pedal issue that has and will continue to cost Toyota billions of dollars, and a tarnished reputation.
The article raises the question, are manufacturing companies cutting to deep in an effort to remain competitive, or meet the company profit goals? We are finding many companies are cutting positions, and tasks to remain profitable. The author speculates that this is a contributing factor to the root cause of this problem.
One of the areas that is the first to be cut during a recession is the Quality department, therefore the disruption of procedures jeopardizes the Quality of products that are being manufactured.
The Quality department has several functions within a manufacturing company; one of which is testing to assure proper performance in the field. Every component, or sub-assembled part has to meet certain specifications, both dimensionally as well a test requirements. The test specification often simulate in field conditions, including environmental conditions, mating parts to assure no interferes issues, and often a part will be functioned to failure. An example, of a functional test, would be a window regulator, installed in a door skin (simulating the car door) cycled a specific number of times with a certain amount of weight to simulate the glass, then the same part will be cycled under certain environmental conditions to test the durability of the plastic component pieces and parts
These tasks do require technical folks that are often well compensated for their abilities and knowledge; to many of the top management these folks do not "add value" to the product, therefore these positions are considered a cost to manufacture. However, in contrast, they prevent scrap, an internal failure, and product failure in the field, therefore assuring a satisfied customer. An example of the importance of quality in manufacturing is the sticking accelerate pedal issue that has and will continue to cost Toyota billions of dollars, and a tarnished reputation.
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