Reviews the Essen Schweissen und Schneiden cutting and welding trade show, assesses the latest developments in remote laser welding technology, identifies mounting trend for electric servo guns to replace pneumatic welding guns, reports on growing interest in aluminium welding and outlines the...

Outlines Renault’s development of cost‐effective exhaust manufacturing systems using synchronous robotic welding aided by vision technology, reports on the accuracy problems encountered and the solutions implemented, relates how cycle times have been cut and quality improved.

Purpose – Reports on trends in the design and application of robots in the Japanese automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach – Surveys the business practices of Japanese automotive manufacturers and their plants in Japan and overseas Findings – Since, the 1990s, Japanese...

Purpose – This paper seeks to report on the Robot Award of Japan and to review the award winners of 2010. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on findings at the exhibition, published papers and in‐depth interviews with award winners. Findings – The Ministry of Economics,...

Suppliers of industrial paint finishing lines usually have only a relatively short time in which to submit tenders for the lines and get them up and running. “Simultaneous engineering” meets this need. Focuses on simulation software which allows the behaviour of projected installations as...

Purpose – This paper presents the concepts and principles of quality function deployment (QFD) as they have been implemented by Ford company. The paper illustrates the essential linkages between external and internal customers to suppliers (i.e. “Voice‐Quality‐Satisfaction” Chains)....

Purpose – The paper aims to research the mechanics of voluntary export restraints (VERs). It first develops a comprehensive VER research agenda, subsequently covering a 1991 VER between the European Union (EU) and Japan that established “voluntary” quotas on Japanese cars until 1999....

In this article, written as part of a consulting report for the insurance industry, key trends that are likely to impact the motor insurance industry are presented. These trends include: globalization; the rise of the cultural creatives; customization; the rise of the info‐tailor; and ageing....

The car industry is one of the largest in the world, employing many people and playing a major role in many economies. The number of cars has grown and is likely to continue to increase, particularly in the developing world. The car is one of the most wanted consumer products but it has major...

The automotive industry in North America is experiencing a period of far‐reaching reorganization. Part of that change is in the automotive supply chain, including firms in the industry, such as Ford or General Motors, that assemble the vehicles and firms that are their suppliers. The...