Toyota is safeguarding its nearly $1 billion investment pledge to air taxi maker Joby Aviation by troubleshooting production processes and mulling a deeper manufacturing role.
The Japanese automaker, which last year became Joby¡¯s largest shareholder, has a team of almost 200 employees working to supply critical parts, training tips and assembly line know-how. That involves deploying a set of lean manufacturing precepts known as the Toyota Production System, or TPS, said Sandy Lobenstein, Toyota¡¯s group vice president of flying mobility.
¡°We¡¯re really trying to bring TPS and the philosophy of TPS into the operations here,¡± Lobenstein told reporters on a tour of Joby¡¯s factory. ¡°Those types of innovations are helping to improve the lead time to production and scaling.¡±
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.