Mitsubishi 2007 Annual Report Download - page 33

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31
Start of development Design approval Market launch
Produc
ct
planni
ing
Desig
n
ept
D
es
i
gn
specifications
ation
Prototype
ype
testing
g
Completion of
ion
development
me
Quality
y
verification
atio
S
ales and
reta
i
l
i
ng
FProduct
concept ESpecification
targets D
Approval of
final specification
model CValidation of
prototype BCompletion of
development AApproval of volume production
(Final Quality Approval Committee)
Custo
m
e
r
s
Re
q
uests from
customers
Product
development flow
ZFollow-up for six
months after launch
Quality Gate
Quality
Furthermore, in 2007, MMC is extending the SQM
system to overseas distributors to step up the exten-
sive collection and analysis of customer information
from overseas.
Aiming for Further Quality Improvements
In 2001, MMC introduced MMDS (Mitsubishi Motors
Development System), a comprehensive quality man-
agement system designed to ensure and continually
enhance quality at each stage, from product devel-
opment to production and sales. Under MMDS, MMC
has established quality standards that must be met
at each of seven “quality gates.” Efforts will now focus
on continually upgrading those quality standards.
Under the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan,
MMC has successively launched new models. With
every new model, MMC has received fewer post-sales
customer complaints regarding quality. We view this
achievement as a direct result of MMDS. Also high-
lighting the benefits of our quality improvement ini-
tiatives, the
i
minicar tied for first place in the 2006
Japan Mini-Car Initial Quality Study (IQS) conducted
by J.D. Power Asia Pacific, Inc.*
MMC will pursue further improvements in quality
control at the product development and production
stages. This is imperative because the product devel-
opment and production industries are undergoing
changes every day, brought about by the digitization
of development processes and other trends. There-
fore, it is also imperative to promote quality improve-
ment activities in cooperation with our suppliers.
Moreover, to meet the customers’ rising expectations
on cars, beyond the basic functions of driving, turn-
ing and braking, automakers must make extra efforts
in terms of better instruments, better paint finishes
and much more. The product liability of automakers
is also rapidly expanding in scope. The main focus of
MMDS has so far been to broadly cover all conceiv-
able risks. Going forward, MMDS will further empha-
size quality improvement in line with constantly
shifting customer needs.
With regard to quality control in the context of
the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan, MMC has
been trying to identify every conceivable issue and
make far-reaching improvements with respect to
each, with the overriding goal of regaining the trust
of customers as quickly as possible. MMC has worked
in particular to establish internal procedures in which
market measures such as recalls are transparent and
can be executed quickly.
In these changing times, quality control require-
ments are becoming increasingly sophisticated by
the day. MMC will thus continue to enhance quality
improvement measures.
*Refer to page 15 for source.
MMDS (Mitsubishi Motors Development System)