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Originally Posted by mcrews
THe entire concept of manufacturing is to create an economy of scale that creates lower costs.
There is a 'repetitiveness' to the manufacturing that creates the same model w same options in a string. Then a different option package is run thru. This way, the workers do the same action without having to think.
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Makes no practical difference what colour the dash board is, if it has NAV, upgraded audio, climate etc. The fit procedure will be largely the same save for maybe an extra connector. Manual seats/ electric seats? Just a connector. Cloth/ leather, no difference.
They'll also do option in groups 'today we're building manuals' - all the major assemblies preassembled individually and just plugged in on the assembly line. Sports suspension? The appropriate cradle is just plugged in. Of line, one team is busy building stock suspension cradles, another team is building sports suspension cradles. Makes no difference to efficiency in a modern factory.
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This is what happen to GM during the 70s. There were sooo many individual options. everybody went in and 'ordered' their cars. Quality went to crap in a hand basket.
THen the Japanese and Germans starting shipping in cars with only 1 or 2 option packages and they had MUCH better quality than US manufactures.
I remember reading that a Camaro could be delivered 400 different ways!!!
the bmws and Mercedes only came 1 way. with everything. Maybe an option sunroof.
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Nope, the decision for Euro brands to limit options is based on practicalities of building vehicles and shipping them vast distances. I special ordered a Renault in August, I'm still waiting. That's about the standard wait for a European vehicle in Australia, the US wouldn't be much different. Some brands prefer to pile on the options so orders can be filled from locally held stock nationwide (this does mean higher prices but also higher profits). That's what happened with my Jeep, came from the other side of the country in two weeks.
Do you know that certain European vehicles can be had in 1000's of combinations? Something as basic as a Ford Transit van has 450 models, five upholstery styles, dozens of options and 150 paint colours? That works out to something like 10,000 possibilities. Likewise Porsche will paint your car literally any colour you want, it's an extra $10k last I checked though. My guess is there isn't a European car today that can't be ordered at least 400 ways. Just because GM couldn't work it out in the 70's doesn't mean it can't be done.
I'll only ever buy Japanese cars used, anything else is too much of a risk of buying someone else's lemon. That and most used cars have a delightful aroma that's a mix of diesel fumes and puke.