[toyotafanfan]

TOKYO, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp on Monday took the wraps off its remodelled Crown sedan, the first car to incorporate the cost-cutting strategy that the automaker hopes will help it save at least $2.8 billion a year.
Toyota began work three years ago on the ambitious plan, called "VI" for Value Innovation, which seeks to lump some of the tens of thousands of car components together to form modules and systems. Analysts have been keen to see the fruits of the scheme for hints to its impact on the car's price, features and eventually the competitiveness of parts suppliers.

Masatami Takimoto, executive vice president in charge of Toyota's drivetrain technology, declined to disclose how much the VI plan saved the company in the Crown. But he said the automaker was able to reduce the number of main ECUs to four from 60, as it had set out to do.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/feedarticle?id=7317867

Wow.

Fan

 

[Sulu]

Fan, you beat me to it! Here is additional information I found...

Toyota rolls out redesigned Crown

TOKYO–Toyota Motor Corp on Monday took the wraps off its remodelled Crown sedan, the first car to incorporate the cost-cutting strategy that the automaker hopes will help it save at least $2.8 billion (U.S.) a year.

Toyota began work three years ago on the ambitious plan, called "VI" for Value Innovation, which seeks to lump some of the tens of thousands of car components together to form modules and systems. Analysts have been keen to see the fruits of the scheme for hints to its impact on the car's price, features and eventually the competitiveness of parts suppliers.

The 13th incarnation of the high-end Crown series features many examples of cost-cutting measures under the VI plan, enabling Toyota to cap the car's price while packing more safety and other features compared with the previous generation, the company said.

...

Toyota's ability to reduce costs has helped it boost spending on research and development every year, making sure the world's most profitable carmaker stayed innovative and competitive amid rising raw material costs.

The VI plan will be built into each new model that Toyota rolls out going forward, and Watanabe has said he expects it to help the company achieve annual savings of at least 300 billion yen ($2.8 billion) from the business year starting in April.

...

In what Toyota called a world first, the new version offers a safety device that monitors the driver's eyes and sounds a warning signal if they are closed for longer than what it deems safe. This option costs more than 660,000 yen ($6,100). ...

The full article is available at: http://www.wheels.ca/article/asset/190304.

Toyota Redesigns Crown & Introduces Hybrid Model

Toyota has released information about their redesigned Crown model, including the introduction of a hybrid version for the first time. The company will also offer two non-hybrid versions called the Crown Royal Saloon and the Crown Athlete.

...

Also featured is a first of its kind TFT (thin film transistor) LCD Finegraphic Meter that displays digital and analog speedometers, and a hybrid system status indicator showing output and energy recovery.

Also of note is an improved Pre-crash Safety System that uses an eye monitor to determine if the driver’s eyes are properly open and which way their head is facing. If the driver is sleepy or distracted the car will attempt to get their attention. Toyota’s GPS stop sign location technology, which we recently reported on, will also be featured for the first time in a production vehicle. ...

The full article is available at: http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080219.003/toyota-redesigns-crown--introduces-hybrid-model.

 

[Tideland Prius]

Would be nice. I wonder how many microcomputers there are in the Prius?

 

[TRD VVTi]

It sounds very sensible, but I think they dropped the ball in styling. Maybe they can funnel some of that money to the styling department.

It looks like a cross between a Mitsubishi and a Chrysler.

 

[Frankenstipe]

So wait, they were able to do all that, and then they went and charged more instead of less for the car......douchebags.

 

[Tideland Prius]

It sounds very sensible, but I think they dropped the ball in styling. Maybe they can funnel some of that money to the styling department.

It looks like a cross between a Mitsubishi and a Chrysler.

They're different versions of the Crown so pick one with the grille that you like lol.

 

[Sulu]

So wait, they were able to do all that, and then they went and charged more instead of less for the car......douchebags.

Yes, but, they did cut costs but they added new technology also (the LCD instrument panel and the safety device that monitors the driver's eyes). In Japan, you cannot introduce a new car, especially an up-market one, without also introducing new electronic gadgets. The cost of the car would have been higher had they not gone through VI.

 

[Jegan_V]

I'm liking the idea of VI, although I prefer the lower price over the additional optional extras, Japan can keep those gadgets. I'd be very happy if this VI developed Crown can be sold in North America considering they still have the Crown concept on the Toyota USA site. If that happens I will certainly attempt to convince my dad to sell his Avalon immediately to get one.

 

[Frankenstipe]

Yes, but, they did cut costs but they added new technology also (the LCD instrument panel and the safety device that monitors the driver's eyes). In Japan, you cannot introduce a new car, especially an up-market one, without also introducing new electronic gadgets. The cost of the car would have been higher had they not gone through VI.

Yeah but doesn't it seem a little backwards to improve a car through cost-cutting measures, and then charge more? If they had kept the whole VI thing quiet and then added the new stuff, sure it would be a great marketing thing, but to announce that they are cutting costs and then charge more for the car is just plain dumb.

I mean I'm obviously not qualified in any way to know anything about marketing or business, but neither are a lot of people who buy their cars. Just seems backwards is all.:thankyou:

 

[91MR2quickNA]

^ The idea is for the manufacturer to make more money for every vehicle sold, and to save the manufacturer money. It's not easy to manufacture something with high quality components and make a profit off of it, but Toyota seems to do it very well.

 

[100$ GUY]

Exactly, the idea behind VI is for TOYOTA to save 2.8 billion dollars, not the costumer to save money.

At least what happened with the first car with VI. Just check out how this new technology so dont u sleep will cost more than 6000 dollars. YIKES.
If u can´t afford it, the wifey or girlfriend slaps are free! :lol:

 

[JustAnotherAsian]

If u can´t afford it, the wifey or girlfriend slaps are free! :lol:

oh... i can think of another thing the wifey or girlfriend could do during those long drives while satisfying you at the same time... :naughty:






























... make her drive. :thumbup:

 

[Camread]

I'm liking the idea of VI, although I prefer the lower price over the additional optional extras, Japan can keep those gadgets. I'd be very happy if this VI developed Crown can be sold in North America considering they still have the Crown concept on the Toyota USA site. If that happens I will certainly attempt to convince my dad to sell his Avalon immediately to get one.

its called the lexus gs over here

 

[91MR2quickNA]

its called the lexus gs over here

Haha yup. The GS and Crown share the same chassis, and the IS uses a modified, shortened version of that. Hmm, why don't they shorten it a bit more for a coupe platform?

 

[Sulu]

Haha yup. The GS and Crown share the same chassis, and the IS uses a modified, shortened version of that. Hmm, why don't they shorten it a bit more for a coupe platform?

Could it be such a shortened platform would be over-engineered (having been designed for a much larger car) and therefore too expensive and too heavy for a small coupe?

 

[Jegan_V]

its called the lexus gs over here

Well except for one thing...the Crown is much cheaper than the GS. Honestly if the GS was cheaper I wouldn't even need to tell my dad to buy one since he actually likes it. I actually prefer the Mark X which is cheaper than the Crown but either will do under the Toyota badge.

 

[Frankenstipe]

No I understand the whole idea is to save the manufacturer money, but why announce it to the whole world, while at the same time raising the prices of the car. It's just a douchebag move imo.

 

[Camread]

Well except for one thing...the Crown is much cheaper than the GS. Honestly if the GS was cheaper I wouldn't even need to tell my dad to buy one since he actually likes it. I actually prefer the Mark X which is cheaper than the Crown but either will do under the Toyota badge.

how much is the Crown in USD?

 

[360glitch]

Haha yup. The GS and Crown share the same chassis, and the IS uses a modified, shortened version of that. Hmm, why don't they shorten it a bit more for a coupe platform?

I remember hearing a while back ago they were going to make an IS coupe? Maybe it was just a rumour...

 

[Tideland Prius]

how much is the Crown in USD?

$55k IIRC. Around GS prices