3DayCar
- Research Objectives
& Focus
The unique aspect of the
programme (1999-2001) was that it examined the total automotive
supply chain – from raw material, through component production,
car assembly, distribution and sale to the customer. Six research ‘streams’
(see below) were created, with each research centre taking prime responsibility
for two streams each.
The objectives of the
research were to:
- identify the
product technology, production, marketing and distribution methods
that will be needed to meet a three day goal
- examine the
impact of three day production methods on both upstream activities
(suppliers and assemblers) and downstream (assemblers and distributors
- consider the
new technologies, roles and competencies that may be required
at all layers of the chain - in particular, to examine the potential
need for late configuration close to the customer and implications
for the distribution chain
- identify the
scope for new entrants into a re-configured supply and distribution
chain, examining the lessons to be learnt from other industrial
sectors
- examine the
overall environmental and resource impact of a large scale move
to 3DayCars, and the potential environmental benefits of a re-configured
system
- examin total
system cost and profit implications
Participation Communication
The programme’s approach
was collaborative, with sponsors actively participating in research activity,
data collection, analysis and discussion of the results. Regular sponsor
conferences ensured that the issues and deliverables were thoroughly
debated, and the research reports and papers that resulted are available
via this web site. A Steering Group comprising of representatives
of the sponsors and research centre executives oversaw the programme.
The Research Streams
SYSTEM - The Process Dynamics
(responsibility: LERC)
- model the customer
fulfilment process, covering vehicle supply, recycling and parts
- develop a simulation
model of the total vehicle supply chain
ORGANISATION - The Key
Relationships (responsibility: LERC)
- gain an understanding
of current organisation and relationships
- develop new
models for organisational change
- test models
to ensure practical future structures
MARKETING - The Voice
of the Customer (responsibility: ICDP)
- ensuring the
customer requirements are met
- identifying
new formats for customer service
- analysing the
needs of customer segments
- how flexibility
and choice can be exploited
FINANCE - Costs Profit
(responsibility: ICDP)
- provide a financial
analysis framework to evaluate implication of the 3DayCar
- understand financial
impact of systems decisions
- ensure propositions
are commercially attractive
ENVIRONMENT - The Voice
of Society (responsiblity: Bath)
- assess environmental
pressures on the industry
- identify environmental
constraints on the systems proposed by the project
- assess the impact
of green issues on the 3DayCar
TECHNOLOGY - Design &
Buildability (responsiblity: Bath)
- identify new
production and process technologies
- determine requirements
of new IT systems for optimum information flow
- examine new
roles for logistics technology
|