Ordering New NSX

[Lostbuckeye]

Surely almost all of the next NSX will be built to order, apart from the initial press and demonstrator cars. Why would a manufacturer in this day and age not have a just-in-time system to maximise cash flow / minimise stock levels for every component? Aren't almost all cars these days essentially built to order? When you can get a mini with so many purchaser defined options, surely a car as exotic as the next NSX won't be built in such volumes that it sits around in a lot for months on end?

Sure, sub-assemblies will be put together in advance, and the body-in-white may be pre-readied, but to suggest that the there will be finished cars sitting there waiting for a buyer is such an out-dated concept.

Just check out (relatively) recent episodes of shows such as Megafactories and the like, and the concept of vehicle stocks is explained away.

If it's a japanese manufacturer it's always just in time. That's how they beat up on american auto manufactures for market share even in lean economic times. I was involved in a small way with recruiting Toyota to San Antonio and visited their plants in Japan. No part sits idle in the factory for more than 20 minutes. This is how they control quality and elimate the risk of producing too many units as well as reduce tax expense. If you ever get the chance visit Toyota's Toyota City plant. They produce several Toyota and Scion models on the same line in no particular order except the order that the build sheets come to the plant. It is really amazing to watch.