Pagoda SL Group
Off Topic => Other cars => Topic started by: 66andBlue on April 01, 2013, 19:58:46
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I guess we'll find out in about 5 years. ;)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/11/us-autos-volkswagen-future-idUSBRE91A04D20130211
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This is being described as a fundamental breakthrough. And here I am, thinking this is the way global automakers have been working already for decades. Because else what's the point of being a global car maker? Am I missing smethng here? Perhaps April Fool's joke...
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Hi Cees,
sorry for the disappointment but it is not an April Fool's day joke; the article was published on Feb 11, 2013.
I guess the key difference is this:
The new platform features a far greater degree of plug-and-play modularity, flexibility and parts commonality than at Toyota, General Motors Co, Ford and other competitors.
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Interesting, but nothing new except scale and perhaps some scope. There's a key quote in that article: Now, with the implementation of MQB, "they're being asked for quotes on 35 million parts," says a senior European industry executive.
That's kind of interesting. Anyone would be fool to rely on a single source for that. So you have multiple sources. With multiple sources you have all kinds of issues with maintaining identical quality from parts made in Germany say, and those made in South Africa, Brazil, China and India. Materials and labor vary greatly, and thus it is challenging to maintain an identical product across such a broad base. And yes, the threat of a massive recall (something that no automaker regardless of reputation, domicile or quality is immune from) is frightening when lots more zeroes follow the number...
As Alfred says, I guess we'll find out how viable the massive concept is...
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Thanks for sharing this fantastic article. I think the phrase 'modular transverse matrix' will haunt VW competitors for many years to come... They're playing a very clever game, particularly with their direction of brand acquisitions. What an impressive line up...I wonder what's next on their acquisition action plan?
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Jumping on the wagon or simply rebranding?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/19/renault-nissan-cmf-idUSL5N0EV3A220130619
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Jumping on the wagon or simply rebranding?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/19/renault-nissan-cmf-idUSL5N0EV3A220130619
On the wagon! ;)