Toyota’s Chief Bets on Hybrids, Squeezing Rivals

By Mark Graban On Jul 13, 2005

In an article that talks about Toyota's lead (along with Honda) in hybrid vehicles, Toyota's new President references Kaizen.

“Mr. Watanabe said Toyota, through its storied manufacturing system of kaizen, or continuous improvement, can reduce by half the premium it now charges for hybrid technology. Analysts aren't so sure, noting that batteries use rare metals, and prices of these materials could rise along with demand for hybrids. Moreover, any success in lowering prices will either take years or what Mr. Watanabe concedes would be a technological breakthrough. ‘But it can be done,' Mr. Watanabe said.”

I wonder how this will be a continuous improvement approach (I'm sure he doesn't mean kaizen in the typical American perspective of “kaizen event”).

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Mark Graban

Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. His latest book is Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. He also published the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.

Toyota’s Chief Bets on Hybrids, Squeezing Rivals

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