Mexico vs US Assembly Plant Article

I have seen a lot of bickering regarding the Tacoma assembly plants. I always thought the plants were identical in process but apparently not. The Mexico plant uses less precision robots and more human assembly compared to the Texas plant. See article below.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2016/09/toyotas-tijuana-plant-pumps-out-tacomas.html

 

Would you say that American made Tacomas may have fewer problems than their Mexico brethren as a result of robotic usage?

 

I am not sure if the low transmission fluid was coming out of one plant or both, so I wouldn't know.

 

Imagine that .....

 

To me it sounds like a cop-out from Toyota to say they appreciate more primitive production methods at one plant compared to the other. Sounds like they have less resources invested in the Mexico plant for whatever reason.

 

Mine was made in the American plant and has plenty of issues. Manual transmission sticking in gear, original and replacement differentials howl, clunking sound from underneath when I hit bumps, dry u-joints, etc.

 

That's likely some sort of mfg process error, I don't imagine Texas and Mexico have different instructions when it comes to filling or building assemblies for the trucks.

The tools and labor quality are probably the biggest difference.

 

Who knows. The article suggests some automated processes may be done manually at the Mexican plant. That allows for tons of manufacturing variations between the two plants.

 

That's true. Unless you walked through the plant it'd be hard to tell. But there are plenty of youtube videos of the Texas plant. It looks like what I'd expect from a modern assembly-line factory. High quality power tools and all.

 

I see a lot of people on these forums suggesting Mexican labor force is somehow inferior to the labor force in the United States. I think that is bogus or at the very least impossible to prove. I think many Mexican workers are eager to work while many US workers feel entitled and are overweight, which has implications on the assembly line. That is just a contrary point to that point of view I have heard. The Mexico plant has won quality awards over the years too that other plants in the US did not get.

 

Viva Messico! I'm less interested in the where than the who; I won't buy a UAW product. That said, if our Tacos were made in Japan they'd cost 10k more and have zero quality problems.

 

My truck was made in Mexico, and the only problem I have is the paper hood.

 

All the manufacturers are rushing south of the border and I read an article that said "they are struggling to find enough skilled employees" down there.

Of course some quality issues will arise.

Last time I was flying over the ocean I had a sticker in front of me that said, "made in France". If it said "Mexico" or "Honduras " I would have jumped off and asked for a refund.

 

Curious what the hourly wage is for the average Mexican plant worker vs the average U.S. plant worker. I think the only reason Toyota keeps the Texas plant open is because they want to tell people Tacomas are still made in the U.S. Anyone know the ratio of Mexican vs US plant output #'s?

 

Ford is moving ALL small car production to Mexico.

G.

 

I don't know about anybody else, but I wasn't inferring that the quality of manual labor is inferior, just that with robotic usage, the odds of failure in those areas are much less.

American plant, evidently, has more robots...

 

god damnit, next thing you know there's taco trucks on every corner.

 

most US will likely be unionized and rely on that as protection where the Mexican's will need to work to keep their job.
The mexican plant production might actually make better trucks lol.
I've seen how some of these union plants are. Its pathetic the shit they can get away with. Hell I work with a bunch of electricians that used to work for GM and all the stories I've heard about how the people that actually work the floor are. Really wouldn't expect Toyota guys to be any different.

At the end of the line the quality control should be what matters most. That would catch all the low fluids and ungreased zerks.
Really all these cares are assembled at the plants. Nothing is made at car plants anymore besides body panels probably. Everything is shipped in from a manufacturer.
Most transmissions come from the same UK based company.
Wouldn't doubt all the differentials are made in one place then shipped to the plants for assembly.

Its not like toyota makes everything themselves, they partner with a specific company to make parts for their vehicles. Wouldn't doubt that every engine component is delivered then assembled at the factory, hell maybe they are all shipped in as crate motors.

 

Interesting article. Thanks for sharing OP.

 

My 2014 was made in Baja and has been trouble free. So far.