Nissan Tops Productivity in North America, Outpacing Domestic Automakers

Nissan Motor Co. claimed the top spot in 2005 as the most productive automaker in North America, according to a report by private consulting firm Harbour Consulting. Nissan achieved this feat by reducing the time to assemble one vehicle by 3.5% to 18.93 hours, surpassing Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. The Big Three U.S. automakers, however, fell short, with General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., and DaimlerChrysler AG failing to cut their assembly hours per vehicle.

Key Takeaways:

Nissan Motor Co. topped the list of most productive manufacturing operations in North America in 2005, cutting assembly time by 3.5% to 18.93 hours.
Toyota Motor Corp. ranked second, reducing assembly time by 9.6% to 21.33 hours.
Honda Motor Co. trimmed assembly time by 3.9% to 21.43 hours.
The Big Three U.S. automakers (General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., and DaimlerChrysler AG) failed to reduce assembly hours per vehicle in 2005.
General Motors Corp. saw a 2.9% increase in assembly hours per vehicle to 22.42 hours.
DaimlerChrysler AG experienced a 5.7% increase in assembly hours per vehicle to 23.73 hours.
Ford Motor Co. reported a 2.9% increase in assembly hours per vehicle to 23.77 hours.
The production efficiency of U.S. automakers was attributed to their focus on restructuring efforts, hindering their ability to compete with Japanese rivals.

Statistics:

Nissan Motor Co. reduced assembly time by 3.5% to 18.93 hours in 2005.
Toyota Motor Corp.'s assembly time decreased by 9.6% to 21.33 hours in 2005.
Honda Motor Co.'s assembly time was trimmed by 3.9% to 21.43 hours in 2005.
General Motors Corp.'s assembly hours per vehicle increased by 2.9% to 22.42 hours in 2005.
DaimlerChrysler AG's assembly hours per vehicle rose by 5.7% to 23.73 hours in 2005.
Ford Motor Co.'s assembly hours per vehicle increased by 2.9% to 23.77 hours in 2005.

Sources:

Harbour Consulting
Kyodo News International