Motomachi factory - employees during shutdown story.

rfrancis073 said:

Found at the Solterra forums for those that don't visit there (needs translated - Google Translate or your favorite translation tool). Good read on how the production team feels (sort of like us - helpless lol).

トヨタのニュース｜消えない葛藤　稼働できない工場で起こっていること｜トヨタイムズ

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Furthermore, there is a possibility that important parts will be wasted unnecessarily.

Maybe there is no easy fix?

I could be wrong but I thought the Mirai used lug nuts from the beginning.

rfrancis073 said:

I could be wrong but I thought the Mirai used lug nuts from the beginning.

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They updated the platform for 2021 models (10.2019). And they are all produced in the same line then including bz4x.

First generation Mirai used studs for sure. But second generation I couldnt find any technical document or picture.

It doesn't really make sense of suspension, if they are not affected by bolt loosen problem.

How many Marai do they make? They probably don't wanna have everyone show up at the plant to make 20 cars.

BZ4X said:

They updated the platform for 2021 models (10.2019). And they are all produced in the same line then including bz4x.

First generation Mirai used studs for sure. But second generation I couldnt find any technical document or picture.

It doesn't really make sense of suspension, if they are not affected by bolt loosen problem.

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Pretty sure the current Mirai has always used lug nuts. The accessory wheel locks are nuts, not wheel bolts.

Even though the bZ4X, Crown, and Mirai are built at the same factory, they don't necessarily have to share the same parts. The three are on three different platforms -- e-TNGA, TNGA-K, TNGA-L, respectively.

qs933 said:

Pretty sure the current Mirai has always used lug nuts. The accessory wheel locks are nuts, not wheel bolts.

Even though the bZ4X, Crown, and Mirai are built at the same factory, they don't necessarily have to share the same parts. The three are on three different platforms -- e-TNGA, TNGA-K, TNGA-L, respectively.

2023 Toyota Mirai Exterior Accessories

Protect your vehicle while adding a touch of style with Mirai interior and exterior accessories. Browse Toyota Genuine Accessories now.

www.toyota.com

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Yes, you are right. They didnt use bolts for Mirai. 😔😔😔


Same production line but different design. I really dont understnad why they suspended production for mirai?

BZ4X said:

Same production line but different design. I really dont understnad why they suspended production for mirai?

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The wheel recall certainly exacerbated the situation, but the factory was also impacted by COVID-19 and supply-chain issues, similar to Toyota's other plants.

I'm assuming, based on the translated article, that Toyota kept the employees at the plant on payroll and had them doing non-production work (e.g. process improvement, plant maintenance, etc.), which is a good thing.

qs933 said:

The wheel recall certainly exacerbated the situation, but the factory was also impacted by COVID-19 and supply-chain issues, similar to Toyota's other plants.

I'm assuming, based on the translated article, that Toyota kept the employees at the plant on payroll and had them doing non-production work (e.g. process improvement, plant maintenance, etc.), which is a good thing.

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But still they have many other production lines and factories. Specifically suspended line 1. Covid, supply chain problem, etc should have affect other production lines as well.

We are missing something but I don't know what?

BZ4X said:

But still they have many other production lines and factories. Specifically suspended line 1. Covid, supply chain problem, etc should have affect other production lines as well.

We are missing something but I don't know what?

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They shut down multiple domestic (Japan) lines and factories during the summer -- the Motomachi line 1 probably had the most, but it wasn't the only one.

August shut-downs: Additional Adjustments to domestic production in August | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

June/July shut-downs: Adjustments to domestic production in June and July | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

Another article on the Motomachi plant. They have hired 600 new people for line #1 (bZ4X, Solterra, Crown and Mirai) and now have 1,000 people on that line. 60% new workers on the line? Hmmmm?

rfrancis073 said:

Another article on the Motomachi plant. They have hired 600 new people for line #1 (bZ4X, Solterra, Crown and Mirai) and now have 1,000 people on that line. 60% new workers on the line? Hmmmm?

NEWS｜Mixed Model Production and Carbon Neutral Efforts Take Motomachi Plant Into the Future｜TOYOTA TIMES

The differences go beyond color—cars of various sizes and powertrains stream down the same production lines. Toyota Times looks at how genba expertise and ingenuity make it possible to handle unprecedented challenges. #TOYOTATIMES

toyotatimes.jp

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I saw this but it says last year as well. They hired people and moved staff from other plants last year for line 1. Then recall and production suspension.

One thing to keep in mind: I believe that's Toyota's own publication. On the plus side, it's coming straight from Toyota. On the negative side, there's a PR spin on whatever was written.

For example, that second article is a pretty inspiring piece about how the plant has stepped up to the challenge of making 5 different models and how it plans to grow its volume after years of stagnation (volume-wise). But it kind of glosses over the fact that the plant has been shut down since June, in part due to a safety defect that Toyota still hasn't solved.