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The FPV (Financial Planning
Volume) objective was 250,000 units per year over a 10 year
cycle. From the projected FPV the profit margin goal was set.
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After all the financial &
political mess had been sorted out we could now start the task
we had been trained for, design engineering, safety, durability
& meet FMVSS, (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) for
certification and sign off by our legal office.
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Back in Dearborn we got to
work with the HAD to get the clay model to a point of
feasibility that satisfied styling & all BMDs, (Basic
Manufacturing Divisions) as well as outside suppliers.
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Once the clay model is fully
feasible we have reached the first mile stone. The model is then
scanned electronically providing engineering with the vehicles
outside shape.
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At clay approval you are
telling top executives that you are an an 80% confidence level
that can build the UN46 at a given production rate (84 per hour)
by the Job #1 date, and that date is set in concrete.
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My task now was to ensure
that we could meet both the timing and feasibility through to
Job #1 i.e.
- Prove out the vehicle ergonomics
- Package the driveline, engine &
suspension
- Make sure that the vehicles
structure will meet both safety & durability
requirements.
- keep the styling theme on track
- meet all European standards for
export units
- Design/Engineer into the UN46 all
safety requirements i.e. restraints both passive &
active.
- Build prototypes in line with PERT
timing objective PERT (Program Evaluation & Research
Techs)
- meet the Job #1 timing - less
excuses
- Maintain program cost objectives
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- Generate a two door sports model
- Meet 2 1/2 MPH bumper impact without damaging any
sheetmetal skin. At 2 1/2 MPH the bumper deflected
.75"
- Mazda Corp. wants a two door sport vehicle restyled to
Mazda's image.
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We met with Mazda management
in LA & worked out how we could meet Mazda's wants without
upsetting the UN46 program.
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We made Job #1 for both the
Explorer & the Mazda Navajo at a build rate of 84 units per
hour, instead of meeting the objective FPV of 250,000 units per
year we have built over 400,000 units since 1990.
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Prior to Job #1 I was told I
had caner of the lung which put me out of action for 6 months.
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1995 UPN - (Utility &
Pickup of North American Operations)
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Major facelift to the body
styling
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Add SLA front suspension
(short arm - long arm) & delete the I beam front suspension.
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Redesign the Ranger wit ha
major facelift
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Per Mr. Trottman our new CEO
replacing Red Poling he wanted the 302 V8 packaged in the
Explorer design & design a new cargo box for the Ranger
Sports Pickup
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And so we start all over
again, but this time we had to have all of the engineering done
& go to Job #1 in less than 36 months from clay approval.
Derek Elliott
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