Build Times

[M Man]

Just out of curiosity how long does it physically take to build a car from scratch? my stealer says its around 2 weeks! cant see it somehow! not with all those robots working overtime!

[charri42]

Its difficult to say what is 'from scratch'

If you mean from when the car starts its journey down the production line, then a few hours. But bare in mind there is lots of work being carried out in parelell and car plants are merely ASSEMBLY lines, with all the systems / modules being completed by suppliers in their JIT plants next door.

But prior to the car starting its prod line journey, muchos planning takes place, the panels are stamped, spot welded etc etc

If you get the chance to visit a modern high volume car plant it is a real experience - amazing to see a completed car every 30 seconds..

[M Man]

Its difficult to say what is 'from scratch'

If you mean from when the car starts its journey down the production line, then a few hours. But bare in mind there is lots of work being carried out in parelell and car plants are merely ASSEMBLY lines, with all the systems / modules being completed by suppliers in their JIT plants next door.

But prior to the car starting its prod line journey, muchos planning takes place, the panels are stamped, spot welded etc etc

If you get the chance to visit a modern high volume car plant it is a real experience - amazing to see a completed car every 30 seconds..

Thanks 

[kingturbo]

i work at toyota and it takes around a week for a roll of sheet metal to come in at one end and a car be drivin out at the other

[charri42]

Rich,

I suppose it depends how far back we go in the prod cycle - its difficult to define when a car starts production.
I am former auto R&D (blue oval).

But from BIW (Body in white (primer)) starting its journey down the assy line getting all its bits bolted on to it isn't long..

[lowdown]

I read on the VW website that its 43 hours.  I will try to find the reference again, and post it.