Toyota is planning to adopt a manufacturing technique that has been popularised by electric carmakers. According to a Cailian Press morning brief on 17 October, Toyota will conduct its first trial of in-house integrated die-casting in China, with Lexus's Shanghai plant slated to begin production in 2027.
Integrated die-casting, sometimes called giga-casting, uses very large casting machines to produce big sections of a car's body, such as the rear or front underbody, as a single piece instead of welding together many smaller parts. It can reduce the number of components, simplify assembly and lower costs, but it requires heavy investment, and repairs to large cast parts can be difficult.
The brief says the development, together with the construction of a new electric-vehicle plant, represents a strategic move by Toyota to accelerate its electrification and regain market share in China. China is a hugely competitive market, where local brands have taken share quickly and price pressures are intense. I have only seen the summary and not the details of the investment.
For the industry, the announcement is another sign that traditional carmakers are adopting methods and technologies pioneered by newer competitors, sometimes in China first. For consumers, the effects of manufacturing changes may appear in prices, quality and delivery times, though they are rarely visible directly. Watch for further details on the Shanghai facility, such as the models it will build, and for whether Toyota expands the technique to other regions. The trial will also provide lessons about the costs and benefits of the method.
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