Toyota Megafactory

[aussie muscle]

the TV Show 'Megafactories' is going to show Toyota's Australian operation. could be interesting.

8-4-13 on NatGeo (612)

[EDManual]

I like that show!

[wozman]

they shood have done the ford factory!!!!!

[gozzaxr6t]

Be hard to film at the ford factory, they only run production like one day a week. Lol.

Once you've seen one episode you've seem em all.

[MrZ]

I don't think this is Megafactories. The voiceover is not American as in other episodes. I wonder if this is just a big 60 minute ad for Toyota, who probably paid Nat Geo to put it under the "Megafactories" banner in Australia. I'm doubtful it will air anywhere else in the world (except maybe NZ).

Speaking of which, with all that high tech automation these days, why aren't cars cheaper to make today than say, 30-40 years ago?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by MrZ

I don't think this is Megafactories. The voiceover is not American as in other episodes. I wonder if this is just a big 60 minute ad for Toyota, who probably paid Nat Geo to put it under the "Megafactories" banner in Australia. I'm doubtful it will air anywhere else in the world (except maybe NZ).

Speaking of which, with all that high tech automation these days, why aren't cars cheaper to make today than say, 30-40 years ago?

Isn't that obvious. Check the spec sheet for a car built today Vs one from 30-40 years ago.

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Isn't that obvious. Check the spec sheet for a car built today Vs one from 30-40 years ago.

I have. 30-40 years ago cars were huge, made entirely of metal, and mostly had big V8 engines. Today they mostly have 4 cylinder engines, have a lot more plastic (bumpers, fittings etc), and are generally smaller.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by MrZ

I have. 30-40 years ago cars were huge, made entirely of metal, and mostly had big V8 engines. Today they mostly have 4 cylinder engines, have a lot more plastic (bumpers, fittings etc), and are generally smaller.

Did you take into account the use of more expensive metals used in a car, or the various electronics and sensors?

No...

Did you consider the amount of money spent on safety and efficiancy research and development? The cost of all the destructive testing?

No...

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by gozzaxr6t

Once you've seen one episode you've seem em all.

That's true, seen pretty much all and the only really interesting one to watch was the Rolls Royce one. That was fascinating.

[MrZ]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Did you take into account the use of more expensive metals used in a car, or the various electronics and sensors?

No...

Did you consider the amount of money spent on safety and efficiancy research and development? The cost of all the destructive testing?

No...

Yes, but today the model cycles are also far longer. A car can often go unchanged for 6-7 years. In the 1960s, every 2-3 years a big change was expected.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Wretched

That's true, seen pretty much all and the only really interesting one to watch was the Rolls Royce one. That was fascinating.

I stumbled across a show yesturday on 7mate about porsche...it was interesting seeing them hand build the cars during the 70's...

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by MrZ

Yes, but today the model cycles are also far longer. A car can often go unchanged for 6-7 years. In the 1960s, every 2-3 years a big change was expected.

Perhaps the facelift,but a lot of panels were slightly changed ,if that,and used on various models
The basics were used on many models as were the drivelines ....
Ford
XA,XB,XC basic designs,ran for near 10 years
XD,XE,XF,XG,XH utes all the same body shells, tweaked here and there, different fronts,but basically the same
XD,XE,XF sedans, wagons pretty much all the same bar slight changes,even ran the same running gear for all models,albeit the later XF injected
Most suspension parts can fit from XA to XF

Holden
HQ,HJ,HX,HZ all share the same platform,few tweaks in the later models, front changes
WB complete front panels retro fit on HQ ,small work to cowl section
Engines will fit all those models if from those models
Another 10 year cycle there
The stuff nowadays, is a tweak and its a series 2,another tweake,its a series 3
Cars today use a lot lighter materials, alloy blocks,heads,other materials,that its probably more costly to manufacture than a lump of iron
even in the 60s,models may have changed in looks but the basics were carried over
The holden grey motor ran from the FX (48 -215) to the EJ , the red motor ran,in basic unchanged form from the EH to VC commodore
Fords 6 pot ran from the XK upto the XC
manufacturers didn't do full remodels , full design change in a coupla years,never have never will

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by wozman

they shood have done the ford factory!!!!!

Whilst im as big a ford fan as anyone, there (From what i can see) isnt anything as big as this (Hybrid manufacture in OZ) going on at Ford OZ. But id like to see one on Ford OZ or Ford Europe.

I found it interesting, i always liked the Megafactories docos.

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by MrZ

Speaking of which, with all that high tech automation these days, why aren't cars cheaper to make today than say, 30-40 years ago?

In real terms cars are cheaper than they were years ago. I bought my first new car in 1992, the same model/type is now only $1500 more expensive. in that 20+years my wages have quadrupled, houses have also come close to appreciating by the same amount. while the dollar figure is higher (marginally) as a percentage of income and given the cost of inputs rising, I think they do a pretty good job of cost control and providing a cost effective product.

JP

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

In real terms cars are cheaper than they were years ago. I bought my first new car in 1992, the same model/type is now only $1500 more expensive. in that 20+years my wages have quadruples, houses have also come close to appreciating by the same amount. while the dollar figure is higher as a percentage of income and the cost of inputs rising I think they do a pretty good job of cost control and providing a cost effective product.

JP

Cars are VERY CHEAP now compared to what they were. Not only in terms of quality, but also refinement, safety and the materials used.

I actually think cars half in price every 15 years (based on what you get as a whole package).

If you don't believe me... spec any car now and go back 15 years and spec a similar car and see what it cost.

These days, 6/7 air bags, cruise, 5 star, blue tooth, sat nav, sensors, climate control etc etc etc can be had for quite cheap. What would you have needed to buy 10-15 years ago to get the same???

Look into what a 2013 Alto has for $14k drive away... what car would you have had to buy with the same features in 2000?

Then do the same with a mid spec Focus.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Cars are VERY CHEAP now compared to what they were. Not only in terms of quality, but also refinement, safety and the materials used.

I actually think cars half in price every 15 years (based on what you get as a whole package).

If you don't believe me... spec any car now and go back 15 years and spec a similar car and see what it cost.

These days, 6/7 air bags, cruise, 5 star, blue tooth, sat nav, sensors, climate control etc etc etc can be had for quite cheap. What would you have needed to buy 10-15 years ago to get the same???

Look into what a 2013 Alto has for $14k drive away... what car would you have had to buy with the same features in 2000?

Then do the same with a mid spec Focus.

Most new cars come standard with features you mention,years past they were options
Go get a povo pack ford/holden from the 70s,single barell carbed basic as 6 pot, 3 speed manual,front bench seat ,drum brakes, no air,windows,full hose out model
Now a bare bones basic has all the features,plus carpet floors, nice interiors,handle well and go quite well,injected all the bells and whistles
But some stuff made now is made not to last and has a limited throw away shelf life, stuff built years ago didn't have such short term shelf life and many are still doin active duty 30,40 years later,wouldnt put so much faith in the new stuff to last that long
Many older cars with cast heads are stiil on the old engines and never been off or replaced, its not the same with the new breed of alloy headed engines
Look how many issues or dramas we all here about the alloy heads
Gimme a ever reliable cast headed engine any day

[K93George]

If anyone would like to watch Megafactories: Toyota Australia. I found the videos on YouTube split in 4. Here is the first 1!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzLzLeQDeQs

Enjoy it before it gets taken done ;)

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by K93George

If anyone would like to watch Megafactories: Toyota Australia. I found the videos on YouTube split in 4. Here is the first 1!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzLzLeQDeQs

Enjoy it before it gets taken done ;)

Cheers, I bought a new Hybrid Camry in December so I will be interested to see it being put together.

[DFB FGXR6]

I enjoy watching Megafactories. Had a good laugh at the Maserati epsisode. Wonder if the people that fork out mega $$ on these cars know that the doors and body pannels are "aligned by hand if needed to ensure high qaulity clearances" with shot of workers swinging from doors and bonnets to get it just "right".

[hulkfocus]

Quite like megafactories its really interesting seeing the history til now
Thanks for the link to youtube....been trying to find a torrent for it to add to my collection but no luck