Shoichiro Toyoda, who turned Toyota into global automaker, has died (mainichi.jp)

Article summary

The article reports on the death of Shoichiro Toyoda, who played a significant role in turning Toyota into a global automaker. Unfortunately, the article's content is not available, but the comments suggest that Toyoda's legacy is being discussed in relation to his impact on the automotive industry and comparisons with other companies like Apple. The comments also touch on the topic of quality control and the Toyota Production System. The discussion revolves around the perception of Toyota as a brand and its association with quality, reliability, and maintainability.

Main themes

• Toyota's legacy
• Quality control
• Brand perception
• Luxury market
• Innovation and efficiency
• Comparisons with Apple

What commenters say

• Toyota's focus on quality and reliability is comparable to Apple's approach in the tech industry.
• The separation of Toyota's luxury segment into a different brand, Lexus, was a deliberate marketing decision.
• Apple's products, such as iPhones, are perceived as having a longer service life than their competitors.
• The Toyota Production System, which emphasizes quality control and efficiency, was influenced by external experts and philosophers, including W. Edwards Deming.
• The perception of Toyota as a luxury brand varies by country and region, with some countries selling luxury Toyota models under the same brand.
• The comparison between Toyota and Apple is not entirely accurate, as they operate in different industries with different customer demographics.
• The legacy of Shoichiro Toyoda is significant, but the development of the Toyota Production System is attributed to a team effort, including Taiichi Ohno.
• The impact of external experts, such as Deming, on the development of the Toyota Production System is a topic of discussion.