Where do I find out how building Porsches has changed over the years?

[PSportoVeloce]

I'm doing an academic project concerning the effects of technology on work, and I thought Porsche would be a great case study to observe how automation, computers etc have changed what "building a Porsche" means. Does anyone have any suggestions where to find really robust information about the role of technology in the design/build process, especially today? I think I'll be able to find a lot of useful stuff in the good old books (excellence was expected, we at porsche etc.), but need stuff about the new cars.

Thanks!

[Mad Mike]

I was updated today on the workings of a 996/Boxster/997 v. 993 and 915 gearbox from Excellence Was Expected. Now over 1400 pages of good Porsche information.

Best of what is out there for your question...all information. Good reading, should take a few years.

MM

[RWebb]

German engineering, Mgmt. & QA journals...

[slodave]

Check this link out. On the right, you can go between the new process and old. They are quick tours, but interesting none the less.

http://www.porsche.com/all/tour/?market=international&path=home/about/tour/intro

[stevemfr]

You're talking changes in production, right?

Wendelin Wiedeking is a production engineer. Google his name + porsche + production and you'll get more good hits than you can read. Production methodology has changed dramatically at Porsche since he took the helm in 92. It's one of the big reasons that Porsche is now in the position to be able to swallow a giant like VW.

[silverc4s]

The Porsche company had a major manufacturing makeover in the early 90's, with the help of a crew of Japanese consultants brought in by WW...
First result (interim) was the 993, final was the 996 and Boxster, sharing same production lines many common parts, vastly cost reduced powertrain, etc. etc.
I would love to see a thorough write up from this era as well, should you find one please share it here.
I recall a quote that I have always loved from the early German / Japan manufacturing merging..."This is not an automobile factory, this is an auto parts warehouse that you are building automobiles in."... they changed all that, I guess that's why I love the old cars...

[rfn026]

Toyota was brought in to reform the production facilities and procedures. This has been written about extensively. Do a Goggle on it. I think there was even a book written about how the Germans and Japanese worked together(?). It was a true clash of cultures.

Richard

[tcar]

Originally Posted by rfn026

written about how the Germans and Japanese worked together(?). It was a true clash of cultures.

Richard

Not a clash of Japanese culture.

The so-called Japanese system was from an American: Edwards Deming. An efficiency expert. He had little success talking to US manufacturers but the Japanese embraced his methods. They were trying to create a system, the US automakers thought the system they'd had for decades was the best.

US (and German) manufacturers started using the so called 'Japanese' system when they got their clocks cleaned by the Deming system.

[Seric]

That's why my mechanic refers to the 993 and newer as "Japanese 911s".

[defcon65]

The 911 Story by Paul Frere has all the information you could possibly want about the development of all the touring and racing 911 variants from all possible angles. It's really quite a remarkable book.

[RWebb]

Ok, 1st, if true then you cannot write up even an undergrad. paper using just a single source, and condensing it. You don't say what level this paper is at - undergrad., graduate student, or a professor but you need more material.

2nd, I heard it was not Toyota per se, but a team that had "fixed up" Toyota - consultants from Japan.

3rd, Yes it was all based on what Deming worked out and he was an American. But I heard that he was spurned in the US and adopted by the Japanese, not that they got their clocks cleaned first.

At any rate, you have some search terms to use in your library's database...

Let us know what becomes of the project! We'd all like to know more.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by RWebb

3rd, Yes it was all based on what Deming worked out and he was an American. But I heard that he was spurned in the US and adopted by the Japanese, not that they got their clocks cleaned first.

That was just a phrase my grandfather used.

Just meant that the Deming system helped the Japanese make huge inroads into the US and Euro markets. Quality WITH low price were direct results of his system. Previously it was difficult to get BOTH at the same time.

There was a good long period of time when 'Made in Japan' meant it was cheap junk. Toyota (and Nikon, etc) put a quick end to that.