Title: Towards the 3Daycar: vehicle design and its impact on rapid build-to-order

Authors: M. Howard, K. Young, A. Graves

Addresses: 3Daycar Programme, School of Management, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. ' Warwick Manufacturing Group, International Manufacturing Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK. ' 3Daycar Programme, School of Management, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK

Abstract: This paper identifies the key technological opportunities for rapid build-to-order in vehicle design. It questions the ability of conventional volume car production methods to deliver total customer order fulfilment. It examines the link between body construction, vehicle complexity and capacity as a means of reducing the current average 48-day lead time, from order placement through manufacture to delivery to the customer. Four case studies of new models at European automotive manufacturing plants suggest that emerging technology offers a significant contribution towards meeting customer demand and shortening order-to-delivery lead time.

Keywords: car body construction; build-to-order; capacity; complexity; vehicle design; lead time reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2001.005218

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2001 Vol.26 No.5, pp.455 - 468

Published online: 12 Sep 2004 *

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