Mercedes-Benz Case Study Essay

IntroductionMercedes-Benz is a multinational division of the shaper Daimler AG from German and the brand is used for luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benzs headquarter is in Stuttgart, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germ whatsoever. The brand first appe atomic number 18d in 1926 under Daimler Benz which origin ally from Daimlers 1901 Mercedes and from Karl Benzs 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, widely remarked as the first automobile.The following report is to deal the readers how a Mercedes-Benz automobile is being produced and the litigate dodge that the comp whatever had authentic in order to be find top selling car in the world. It besides reveals the vital dimensions of the product quality for the Mercedes-Benz automobile products. increase physical physical structure and Development procedureThe process of making a Mercedes-Benz fomite commonly takes around three years from the initial drawing to final exam thanksgiving of the pattern. During these three ye ars, the b be-assed Mercedes-Benz passes through and through development stages in which the designer team works together to produce the final vehicle. The team converts the initial drawings (modular design) into the adjacent generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The following process is the steps to produce a undefiled automobile1. Drawing/Rendering the designer team initially draws a hand-sketched on a piece of paper, or on a screen. 2. digital/Package a virtual(prenominal) image of the automobile is created on a computer (CAD system). rise www.carbodydesign.com descent www.carbodydesign.com3. 14 clay models the next step is to create a clay model of either grade of a new automobile. The designers go forth then decide whether their drafts create the want effect in three dimensions, too. At the same time virtual models ar created on the computer. 4. Model selection With the help of scanning and mill machines the first full-sizing model atomic number 18 made. The final f orm of the new automobile is chosen in order to be formally examined in a 11 scale. book of facts www.carbodydesign.com seeded player www.carbodydesign.com5. 11 model all the individual details of the new model are handmade. In this step, a real-looking model is created and it reveals all the characteristic features of the new automobile. 6. inner sketches in this step, the designers sketch for the design of the inside(prenominal). This is where the driver seat designs are created. line www.carbodydesign.com consultation www.carbodydesign.com7. Interior clay model all the details are created until a desired top-quality feeling is created. Three alternative choices of inners are built for a decision to be made. 8. Colour & trim / operational and march concept (control and display system) the material and colour for the automobile interior are chosen from hundreds of fabric and leather samples as well as a virtually endless colour spectrum. All the control and display elements are designed and developed too.9. Interior data control model all the materials and colours are tested and checked for effect on producing 11 interior models under real-life conditions. Every material and every colour is allocated a code and specified. 10. Final model the exterior and the interior with all their details are combined together to create a model and the future Mercedes-Benz model becomes tangible. 11. Model approval finally, the design process has to obtain approval by the Board of Management. If this is successful, the production of the new Mercedes-Benz is released.Manufacturing Process and Process StrategyMercedes-Benz automobiles are mainly manufactured in Sindelfingen, Germany accumulation comprise. This is where all the important functions like sales record, design and development pre-production and production-planning oecumenical have been integrated at one site. In early 1994, the foundations for the do and the production system for Mercedes-Benz US Interna tional Inc. (MBUSI) were set up and it was non far away from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The site mainly manufactured the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class SUVs. In 2011 the plant produced more than 148,000 vehicles and employed approximately 2,800 people by years end. This report is focusing on the production of Mercedes-Benz automobiles factory in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama.Source www.automotivetraveler.comSource www.automotivetraveler.comThe production facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it involves sextette production cornerstones of the vehicles meeting process. The employees are encouraged to work toward developing improvements and express on the cleanliness and safety. First of all, the factory has a large office subject area where all the materials and parts that are ordered from suppliers which are mainly come from North American suppliers and others. The production teams will then set a production date and create a barcode including the VIN and other specifications. Merc edes-Benz does not gestate up a lot of parts. In fact, they adopt just-in-time method and discover only two to three hours of inventory on the line. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz does not revenue stamp out its own metal body parts.Source www.automotivetraveler.comSource www.automotivetraveler.comThe body shop has hundreds of German-made (KUKA) welding machines that assembly materials and parts together. The plant itself has approximately 800 machines and 600 of them are in the body shop. To suss out safety in this area, a flexile screen is used to cover the flying sparks. The employees inspect critical welds to let on dimensional accuracy and after the welding is complete, another inspection is conducted to ensure the exterior body is ready for blusher. After the body shop production, the second-floor paint shop at the Tuscaloosa plant is a super clean purlieu where a proper suit and headgear are required to hold open unwanted dirt or p obligates.In this area, the vehicles go thr ough the sise steps process such as, a pre-cleaning, a phosphate dip, and the natural covering of an electrically charged e-coat, primer, colour coat, and finally the top coat. Every vehicle goes through for more than three miles on conveyor belts as it travels through the painting process and curing ovens. After inspections, the vehicles return back to the assembly shop for the installation of the interior parts and engine. This section of plant includes1. six trim lines2. four final lines3. door line4. engine/ trope line5. off-line quality test6. Source www.automotivetraveler.comSource www.automotivetraveler.com redress areaThe employees and the machines are working together side by side, applying their modernistic and various skills to the vehicles as they move slowly along the assembly lines. If any deviation is detected, one of the employees will pull a rope that creates a short melodic tune. Each line has its own melody and every employee is able to recognize their song. R epair area usually takes a short period of time and quickly most vehicles continued one.In the engine/chassis assembly line, the major parts of the engine are united and numerous machines work together in this section. Usually all the engines come from either Berlin or Stuttgart. Source www.automotivetraveler.comSource www.automotivetraveler.comThen the vehicles will go through the off-line quality checks. This involves some rattles test such as, driving over rollers that imitate the bumpy road situations while an employee inspects for any rattling sounds. There is overly another quality check plaza that inspects the vehicles to ensure proper sealing by using high-pressure hoses to imitate the pounding rainstorms and flooded roads. After all the vehicles have passes through the final inspections, the vehicles will be prepared to transport to the dealers or be shipped for the international orders.As we can see from the manufacturing process of the Mercedes-Benz automobiles, the c ompany adopts the process strategy of repetitive focus. They have standardized modules that assembly materials and parts together and the facilities are organized as assembly lines. Hence, the production of Mercedes-Benz automobiles are efficient and usually having medium volumes of outputs. The company adopts repetitive focus strategy as it overly has machines that help in the assembly lines of the production as well as skilled and trained employees that work in the factory.Five Critical Dimensions of Product QualityTaking example of Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV, there are some critical dimensions of its product quality. In this report, each dimension delivers two examples of its product quality.* surgerySource www.mbusa.comSource www.mbusa.comThe Mercedes-Benz GL-Class SUV is furnished with the special engine called handcrafted AMG 5.5L biturbo V-8. It is a sophisticated powerhouse with a thunderous 550hp at 5,250-5750 rpm and 560 lb-ft of torque at 2,000-5,000 rpm. This engine improves the efficiency and emissions.Source www.mbusa.comSource www.mbusa.comThe vehicle is also equipped with another engine which is called 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT transmission. It features three driving modes that can be selected via a console-mounted button called Controlled Efficiency, it functions as a fuel-saving ECO Start/Stop function.* FeaturesSource www.mbusa.comSource www.mbusa.comOne of the features that GL-Class SUV has is the PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist. This feature helps the driver to size up parallel-parking spaces as most drivers have difficulty in parallel-parking.Source www.mbusa.comSource www.mbusa.comAnother feature will be the ATTENTION back up driver-drowsiness monitor. This system will monitor the different parameters of driving behaviour and mechanically alert the driver with both visual and warnings if the system detects any signs of drowsiness.* complianceIn the U.S. and Europe, large of quantity of vehicles have use no flatulency and produc e zero tailpipe emissions are already in use. Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also adopting the zero-emission driving concept.For generations, Mercedes-Benz has been ground-breaking fuel-cell car to help preserve the earth for future generations. Hence, Mercedes-Benz is collaborating with betting Diesel, a leading non-profit to help sustaining the environment. Therefore, Mercedes-Benz produces a BlueTEC Clean Diesel, a low-toned engine yet delivers powerful mpg and low emissions. It is also known as the worlds cleanest and most advanced diesel.* AestheticsSource www.mbusa.comSource www.mbusa.comThe design of the vehicle is one of the aspects to consider when customers choose and purchase the vehicle. Hence, the processed cabin styling of theGL-Class is delivering a first-class design of the driver seat and seating room rows.Source www.mbusa.comSource www.mbusa.comAnother unique design that GL-Class has is the 21-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels. It features the pentad twin spokes and a brilliant silver touch. The feature itself has the confident on the wet-road performance and a composed ride quality.* ServiceabilitySource www.mercedes-benz.com.sgSource www.mercedes-benz.com.sgThere is a Mercedes-Benz centre in Singapore where the vehicles will make love five-star treatment. The centre provides new servicing and repair facilities as well as the Diagnostic Assistance System which is linked directly to Germany for up-to-the-second technical data. It also can quickly assess any vehicle. With trained and skilled technicians, customers could be intimate professional service from the Mercedes-Benz service centre whereby it is located at 301 Alexandra street Singapore 159968.ReferencesMercedes-Benz design philosophy. (2012). Retrieved January 14, 2013 from http//www.carbodydesign.com/2012/05/mercedes-benz-design-philosophy/125 years of visionary design automobile Design Made by Mercedes-Benz. (2010). Retrieved January 14, 2013 from http//media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0- 921-1262677-1-1347994-1-0-0-0-0-0-11701-854934-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.htmlDorofte, A. L. (2012). The new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Development and production digital worlds in real vehicles. Retrieved January 14, 2013 from http//mercedes-benz-blog.blogspot.sg/2012/08/the-new-mercedes-benz-gl-class_28.htmlLander, B. (2010). Touring the Mercedes-Benz Factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.automotivetraveler.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=994touring-the-mercedes-benz-factory-in-tuscaloosa-alabama&catid=122bimmer-dreamer&Itemid=315Mercedes-Benz & The Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.mbusa.com/mercedes/benz/greenGL63 AMG SUV features. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/model/class-GL/model-GL63designMercedes-Benz Centre Level 1, Service union & Vehicle Delivery. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2013 from http//www.mercedes-benz.com.sg/content/singapore/mpc/mpc_singapore_websi te/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/world/mercedes-benz_center/level_1.0002.html