Journal
DESIGN STUDIES
Volume 30, Issue 5, Pages 588-605Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.destud.2009.03.003
Keywords
design practice; automotive design; design history; customization; product development
Funding
- National Science Foundation [IIS-0325321, IIS-0325402]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Henry Ford is recognized as the father of mass production, but his contributions extend well beyond that, offering valuable lessons for product platforming and mass customization. In this paper, we study, Ford's Model T and its many, variants in depth and describe insights into Ford's vision and his car. hi particular, we examine how the platform was built, leveraged and dynamically maintained with continuous improvements to maximize learning and economies of scale. Finally, we compare Ford's approach to more current approaches for platforming and mass customization. October 2008 marked the 100-year anniversary of the introduction of the Model T. In some aspects this old car still outperforms us, and we can learn valuable lessons from its past to avoid future mistakes and improve current practices. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available