Improving Automobiles Continuously: Insights from the Land Cruiser and GR Yaris Design Teams on Their Key Development Principles (Part 1)
In the world of automobile manufacturing, Toyota has been making waves with its commitment to creating ever-better vehicles. At the helm of this revolution is Akio Toyoda, better known as Morizo, who has been instrumental in driving change within the company.
Morizo's evaluations of vehicles have been extreme, pushing the boundaries beyond what Toyota would typically test its vehicles for. This approach, however, is crucial in understanding the vehicles' limits and improving their performance.
Racing drivers and test drivers have distinct roles. While racing drivers focus on the movements of the vehicle by working the accelerator in various ways after pushing it beyond its limit, test drivers evaluate vehicles within the range of conditions that customers use them in, including their upper limit.
The Land Cruiser, a testament to Toyota's resilience and innovation, is built with a focus on durability and reliability. Its production is centred at the Honsha Plant, which is continually evolving thanks to the production site at the factory. The Land Cruiser is based on the idea of "driving it until it breaks," a philosophy that has served the vehicle well over the years.
Technological innovation has played a significant role in the development of the Land Cruiser. The lighter and stronger frame of the 300 Series is a testament to the welding skills of Takumi. Moreover, the skills of on-site craftspeople are crucial in development and production, as demonstrated by the lighter ladder frame of the new 300 Series.
The Land Cruiser's reliability has grown over time, even for old models like the 40 Series and 70 Series. This reliability is a result of Toyota's emphasis on continuous improvement and passion in vehicle development, striving to enhance performance, reliability, and driver engagement in models like the Land Cruiser.
Morizo's reforms have led to a downsizing of the car-making process in a positive way. This is evident in the development teams of the Land Cruiser and GR Yaris. The engineers Sadayoshi Koyari and Naohiko Saito are in charge of developing the Land Cruiser and GR Yaris respectively at Toyota.
The GR Yaris production processes were prepared with PE engineers from the developmental stage, incorporating racing car precision and weight savings during production. This approach has resulted in a vehicle that is both lightweight and powerful, embodying the spirit of racing.
Test drivers play a vital role in car development, identifying weaknesses in vehicles that are difficult to identify due to tire performance. Fukuoka, a test driver involved in the Land Cruiser development for over 37 years, developed a certification system to standardize off-road driving skills.
The problems identified by racing drivers and test drivers are inter-related and can lead to improvements in the suspensions or drive system. For instance, the Land Cruiser development team utilizes on-site welders' ideas for lighter and stronger frames, such as the patchwork steel material used in the frame of the new 300 Series.
The Land Cruiser continues its involvement in motorsports through the Dakar Rally. This participation not only showcases the vehicle's capabilities but also provides valuable feedback for further improvements.
In conclusion, Toyota's approach to vehicle development is rooted in a commitment to continuous improvement and a passion for creating ever-better cars. This philosophy is evident in the Land Cruiser and GR Yaris, two vehicles that embody Toyota's dedication to quality, innovation, and performance.
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