It's not easy. Producing special models, models that deviate from the norm, is a logistical nightmare. On a production line, where the rule prevails, each exception costs millions — and no, it's not a force of expression, it's millions.
That's why nowadays, practically all brands «run away» from these special versions. However, at the Toyota factory in Motomachi, the Japanese brand managed to develop a production line adapted to the production of special versions such as the Toyota GR Yaris.
Instead of a conventional production line — where the chassis is transported on a continuous assembly line — in Motomachi, this transport is done by robotized platforms that give the chassis greater freedom of movement during the production chain.
As you know, the Toyota GR Yaris is far from being a “normal” model. Its chassis is the result of the joining of two different platforms: the front belongs to the Yaris, the rear belongs to the Corolla — you can find out more about its platform here.
Therefore, being able to systematize processes of a different nature in totally different models and on the same production line, preserving the quality control associated with mass production models (where human error is less), is undoubtedly a very interesting feat.
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It remains to be hoped that all these advances will result in more models like the Toyota GR Yaris. What other special model would you like to see leave the Motomachi factory? Supra, Celica, GT86…
