New productive systems in the automotive industry: the current situation of three innovative plants in Brazil
by Silvio R.I. Pires
International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM), Vol. 2, No. 1, 2002

Abstract: This article provides an overview of three innovative production systems established in Brazil by several major automakers over the last five years. During this period, significant investments have been made in Brazil's automotive industry and new managerial experiments and innovations have been implemented in plants established in the country. Some of these new plants have become a benchmark for several basic processes in the sector, such as inbound logistics, and have attracted the attention of most parts of the automotive industry. The first system studied is the modular consortium of VW's truck and bus chassis plant, in which several important points found five years after the plant opened deserve highlighting. The second system is the industrial condominium of VW-Audi which opened in March 1999, which has become a reference for the entire automotive industry, particularly due to its broader applications and the improved balance of risks and dependence among the partners. The third case consists of the dedicated supply systems built up by Dana and Chrysler at the Dakota plant since July 1998. This plant was recently closed as a result of several problems caused by low market demand. Despite the fact that these three new and inspiring productive systems have proven their superiority by dint of their high output and profits, they have been facing difficult and far-reaching market circumstances outside their sphere of influence.

Online publication date: Wed, 02-Jul-2003

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management (IJATM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com