"The car assembly plant follows a simple sequence of tasks starting from the press shop and ending at the final assembly line. Next slide provides a summary of these tasks. Although the basic tasks are the same for Ford and Toyota, their management approaches differ. Let's compare their policies and practices for small cars like the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota Yaris:

? Ford: Ford has pursued a long-term strategy in Europe and made significant investments in fixed assets without seeking immediate returns. However, it currently faces challenges as its capacity was designed for a 15% market share while the actual loading is only 9%. Ford aims to bring about a significant change in the production process through high capital investment. Its investment policy is technically oriented, focusing on finding the best technical solution for each task. For instance, Ford's body shop is highly automated with flexible robots that can work with different parts. However, when switching production from one part to another, the robots need to be reprogrammed. This reliance on specific equipment suppliers and the need for software support places importance on technical expertise. The layout is designed around the robots and fixed volumes.