ENGINEER EXPLAINS TOYOTA'S VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTER

[@c.a.r.s.carsandrelevantspecs]

It's nice to see the attention to detail and the meticulous manner in which Toyota and Lexus vehicles are processed. Thanks for this excellent content!

[@jdub6797]

This is port installed options. Toyota started this to reduce the import tax as the value was less when imported.

[@garylovell3018]

I agree for a different reason, this allows them to claim they were partially MFG in Canada. I noted that when David asked about the Tundra at the beginning, he was redirected to the Venza, I'm guessing only the imports get this treatment! Lol

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, Thanks for filling in a few more Auto industry blanks. It was very interesting to learn where a 4Runner becomes a TRD Pro.👍

[@Gwril76]

Brilliant robust processes, brilliant 5s and brilliant visual aids. Well done to all involved.

[@contrariangrin]

This presenter did a great job!

[@Looknobook]

Engineer getting to the bottom of why his LC was scratched. Hahah!

[@toronado455]

This is a great video about the whole port installed thing!

[@ccarp1515]

Thanks to Toyota for allowing this look behind the curtain.

[@re-tiredsteve5195]

By the sounds of all the misguided comments, most people have not considered what is actually going on here. Cars that are not assembled / manufactured in Canada but sold in Canada are having their respective Canadian 'packages' or 'options' installed by a Toyota / Lexus employee by Toyota standards. It is the most economical way, as in it gives you the cheapest price tag for your equipment, for this to be done. A factory in Japan making a vehicle for ALL the world is not going to be able to efficiently install all the various iterations available throughout all the local regional locations in the globe where said vehicle is marketed. This setting allows Toyota to source local manufacturers to produce Canadian specific features / options to Toyota standards and install them under their specific requirements so that they will be fully warrantied by Toyota if there is a problem with them down the road. This is a much better scenario than having a Master Technician at the dealership level 'rushing' through an application of a door sill because he needs to move on and do another more serious job as well. I for one like what I see here! Lots of inspection, capturing flaws or damage before it goes to dealership and repaired to factory standards with a full warranty is great in my opinion.This is truly cost effective and Kaizen will ensure it is always being improved upon too!

[@AutomotivePress]

Very well said!

[@AR-up4xe]

Great Video David!! Thanks for sharing your tour of the VPC with your followers. Loved seeing this facility and their procedures. This kind of content is only available on your channel. Is the vehicle processing center also known as "Port Installed" for accessories when indicated on the window sticker?

[@AutomotivePress]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes these accessories are often called Port Installed items

[@stephanlevesque7632]

Amazing content! I have always wondered what the vehicles go through after they leave the factory. Also, I love seeing those scaled agile words being used and tossed around!

[@toronado455]

Wow I like that system of puting the photo of the person where the wrench was.

[@donaldmcpherson4579]

This video gave me a better understanding on how the system works even though. I am not completely sure how it works. I do have a better understanding now. really good video.

[@AH-bm4ts]

If I buy a special vehicle that gets special wheel/tire package etc I'd love the option to keep the standard set that it gets shipped with!

[@mobinchishti]

Wow David San, this was awesome video of how the VPCs work and I loved your great questions. Thank you for sharing this knowledge with us, appreciate it. Wish I can visit a VPC sometime.

[@AutomotivePress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jasonostack9319]

Nice. David going undercover to find who damaged his LC.

[@DBLG65]

Reminds me of my old job when the big bosses were coming to the workplace. Everyone has their safety vest on, and the place is spotless. But any other day, nobody is doing anything.

[@toronado455]

😂

[@Outdoorsy368]

Oh yea, it was pandemonium the days leading up to the "visit"!! We used to call it Big Al from katmandu is coming, let the panic begin 🤣

[@psyberiusblack]

100%! Look at all the people just standing and wandering around. Not a speck of dust on any of the safety gear cuz you know they never use it LOL.Someone tell me why there’s “port installed accessories” again? LOL

[@donthesheek]

Did you work at Ford ?

[@toronado455]

​@@psyberiusblack Margins. Big margins.

[@toronado455]

I really don't get the reasoning behind doing it this way. It seems inefficient to process a vehicle through this system after it leaves the factory. If everything could be installed either at the factory or dealership, this whole thing could be eliminated.

[@givemesilverbullet]

Agree. The intermediate state of "car is produced but not 100 % percent complete" seems to open the possibility for missing things and requires material, information etc on another place than the factory. Maybe the argument is to let the factory focus on the 90 % part and keep away finishing detail work. But it's not obvious why it couldn't be a step in the factory.

[@EddieSaleh]

For the same reason why your doctor for example doesn’t also hand you the medicine. Separation of processes is crucial to guarantee that you get best results throughout the whole process. Toyota employs a principle called JIT (just in time). Another reason is that some of these accessories come from regional suppliers who setup their processes close to these centers and also build accessories to a spec that fits the destination where these vehicles are going and not where they were built (which could be a totally different country sometimes)

[@givemesilverbullet]

@@EddieSaleh it's just part of the car production process. It's not clear why those steps should not be done at the factory. You didn't provide any reasoning: why can't some decals not be slapped on in the factory? Now they have issues with temperature, with dust etc. before they can even apply them. Also Just-in-time is hardly relevant for this topic. And you don't need local suppliers for some decals. I still don't see why it's done this way.

[@TheJimbob1603]

Its also a significant tax dodge.

[@MR3DDev]

Port installed option, my most hated thing done to cars.

[@kenfrank2730]

I'm curious, why?

[@MR3DDev]

@@kenfrank2730 Most port installed options are some form of cheap PPF that people did not want yet dealers love to add to the car for that extra $$$. Unless you ordered your car you are likely stuck with these port installs.

[@TheoneandonlyRAH]

This was really good! Thanks!

[@charley95sheridan44]

Great information David, thank you!

[@hd_couple_4380]

Great video, I'm curious as to what the "Exterior Pain Sealant" is. I purchased a new 2024 4Runner and this is listed under "Toyoguard Platinum" on the sticker. The paint beads nicely when it rains, so I assume they do something. But I'm curious as to what they actually do

[@36mcast]

Please talk about the 3UR-FE coolant issue on cylinder 5 and 7

[@Marks.Reviews]

Very interesting that these things aren’t installed at the factory. Why would he say at 35:51 that a damaged vehicle is shipped to a dealer? Is it because those damages are not significant enough to be a concern by most customers.

[@brucekrolikowski2882]

Wow, you had an army following you both. Enjoyed the video.👍

[@ibanezmakki]

Hey David, great video. Whereabouts in Toronto is this located? I'm surprised I've never seen it before.

[@LilShay27]

Great video and presentation

[@Likiudie]

I wonder if WWS is inferior to the Toyota VPC since its a third party. David lives in the westcoast so his LC must had PPO at the WWS location and had damage afterwards.

[@m67lovelace]

Southeast Toyota Distributors is the world’s largest independent distributor of Toyotas. The company was established in 1968 when Jim Moran partnered with Toyota Motor Sales to help expand the automaker’s presence in the U.S. market. Today, the company distributes vehicles, parts and accessories to 177 independent Toyota dealerships in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Vehicles manufactured in North America and Japan are processed at the company’s facilities in Jacksonville, Florida, and Commerce, Georgia. Southeast Toyota Distributors also supports dealers through regional sales and marketing, customer service, accessory development and sales, Fleet sales, and transportation and logistics.

[@m67lovelace]

SCAM created by Jim Moran Enterprise Because in the Beginning of selling Toyota's in the USA was a challenge because of the Big 3 Automakers

[@bobbbobb4663]

@@m67lovelace And the Moran family are billionaires. I can't fault that success -- hell I'd slap some floor mats or mud flaps on some cars too if it made me a billionaire.

[@kirk8359]

How did you get invited to this event?

[@charley95sheridan44]

David, is there any way you could clarify the reason for this extra step process after the vehicle leaves the factory? It would seem more cost effective if this extra step was done at the factory?! This is the aspect I don't quite understand?!

[@JEB757]

What’s the logic? I would absolutely prefer my purchase being completely finished when it leaves the factory. I look for “J” in the VIN, why would Toyota think I want other hands on my vehicle? This can’t be more efficient. Help me understand the logic of port added items.

[@ovid4]

Reduces import costs

[@m67lovelace]

It's a way to save money on taxes and add all the extra options so that a car that cost 30k ends up costing 36k after they add a few emblems and add a 699.00 for two oil changes. It's not a option for the customer or the dealer You get whatever they want basically its a SCAM

[@ovid4]

@@m67lovelace Keep in mind you candecline to pay some of these options before you buy.

[@jdub6797]

The standard work comes with the oarts. Buy a bumper protector from Toyota or Lexus and you will get the sheet they use.

[@joliettraveler]

Is there one in the US?

[@lunamaria1048]

Hello again😊. This is an excellent video topic, because a lot of buyers assume everything is done by the manufacturer. I popped by your channel to see if you have discussed the Lexus LX 700h hybrid announcement. A LX 700h Overtrail will have multiple locking differentials, so would be as close as we ever get in (North America) to my dream vehicle, the Land Cruiser 300 Series GR Sport! My older brother lives in Japan and owns an LX 600 with 3 locking differentials, and I have always been a envious. Now we will have it, and with with hybrid battery power for camping.😊 I am very excited about this news! Lol Thanks for another informative video!

[@lunamaria1048]

Where are you?😝 I want to hear you opinions on the LX 700h!

[@darngooddawg]

If Toyota allowed people to bespoke order what they want with 10K non-refundable deposits, they could eliminate this idiotic process. Thankfully, Porsche lets us build and purchase their cars with options we want and not what Toyota thinks we should have. Porsche purest really pushed hard for the return of the 6 cylinder in the 718 and they got it. Many KZbinrs think government regulations require Toyota to put 4 cylinders in the LC. 🙄 Financial incentives to lower emissions aren't regulations. Honda thankfully ignored the incentives, putting 6 cylinders in their Pilots. The GX550 has a 6-cylinder. Good luck to all you LC buyers, but that was a hard pass for me as you pay 15K USD for the Land Cruiser name surcharge.

[@kenfrank2730]

I'm shopping for a Rav4 Hybrid XSE. Trying to find one configured the way I want, and the color I want is time consuming. So far I have not found one. I wish I could give Toyota a list of options I want and they build it for me.

[@roch145]

The reason you can custom build a Porsche is because the Porsche business model is to minimize content in a base vehicle and charge a fortune for the myriad of options that available. A very significant port of per vehicle profit comes from the options. Financial incentives as you call them are punitive and are designed to promote adherence to government desires. While technically not regulating behavior, they are in fact regulating the design choices made by manufacturers. If the government doesn’t see the results they want, they just increase the financial punishment until changes are made. The auto industry is one of the most over regulated industries. Government regulations and financial punishment s add many thousands of dollars to the price of a vehicle. Honda stuck with V6 engines because they don’t have a viable 4 cylinder or hybrid that could be used instead. Honda wasn’t making any kind of defiant statement.

[@looking511]

this must be the place that does add ons

[@psyberiusblack]

Ahh yes! The infamous “port” where roof racks and the like are installed and your nice, shiny new, finely crafted Toyota/Lexus and gets all dinged up in the process. I’d love to see these “ports” removed from the process…

[@sanangelo7926]

Ah yess the Toyota distributor system where over priced items get added on to inflate the sticker price. Toyota in the past has made quality vehicles but their distributor network like this hurts the buyer and cost them more money in the end. Just so people know most of the centers like this are full of people that are not working for corporate Toyota . They work for the regions distributor. They are nothing but a middle man that Toyota got involved with decades back when they were trying to find a way to sale cars in North America

[@BIGDAVE5352]

Do they crush any vehicles here?

[@kenfrank2730]

Just yours.

[@toronado455]

Recycling a brand new wheel. Jeez. This is so wasteful. Reminds me of chicken tax vans shipped with seats and then removed and recycle brand new seats.

[@toronado455]

That's crazy that new cars are sent to body shops for repairs before being sold as new cars to customers.

[@AutomotivePress]

They are not being sent to body shops for repairs. This is an area where they install accessories to new cars.

[@toronado455]

@@AutomotivePress at 35:39 in the video he says someone at head office reviews damage and decides if they either ship to dealer or to body shop to get repaired.

[@jdub6797]

Manger is not using the word takt time correct!!! He is talking about cycle time.

[@kirk8359]

This place seems like a make work project. Putting on silly badges and throwing in throw-in items. Coulda done that at the factory as they were leaving the assembly line. Amazing they tear down an SR5 Tacoma and rebuild it into a Pro; that doesn't sit well with me. I've never liked dealer installed options for the same reason; I just don't trust little Jimmy in the detail shop to do as good a job as the Japanese robots.

[@TheJimbob1603]

Perhaps. But, it saves Toyota significant dollars on the import tax. '..... final assembly performed in Canada' sort of thing.