152 "What is decided in a 1-hour meeting, the factory floor has to keep doing for 6 long years"

The development site of the new Corolla was featured.

Reflecting on the program, it closely followed the development site of Toyota's new car, the 'Corolla', where interesting discussions unfolded. There is a unique system known as drawing rejection, where the manufacturing side pushes back against drawings made by the design side, stating they cannot accept them. It reveals the behind-the-scenes of manufacturing, where the workshop side properly holds the right to say no.

What is decided in a 1-hour meeting must be executed for 6 years.

The weight of the reality is discussed: a policy decided in just one hour of meetings must be continuously carried out by the factory staff for a full six years. Since about 80% of a product's lifecycle cost is determined at the design stage, it makes us realize how crucial the initial design is. Deeper conversations continue, but please listen to the main episode for the rest.