Quality standards application in the production of goods in almost all industrial sectors has significantly increased over the decades, becoming more and more strict.
In the automotive sector, this process is extremely important, because safety concerns not only the driver of the car but also other road users such as cyclists and other drivers.
Making sure that high safety standards are respected during the vehicle’s production is an advantage not only for the customer who will drive safer cars but also for manufacturers.
In the manufacturing
To customers, a car is a tool with a specific function: to transport them from A to B. But for car manufacturers and suppliers, it is a whole other perspective.
A little attention is usually paid to the manufacturing process of a car before it is allowed on the road, or to the technologies used to make it safer, or to the various mechanical and electrical aspects.
The quality and safety of a vehicle are mostly linked to the traditional crash test often shown in slow motion. Well, actually those tests are the end step of a quality control process that started way before. So even if we haven’t noticed the quality of the vehicle we use every day has increased over the years and this has been accomplished through quality checks and required standards that are extremely strict.
Quality control starts early in the process
Obviously, the vehicle is subject to many quality checks to reach appropriate safety levels, and all this kicks off way before presenting the vehicle to the market.
The vehicle that we see in the showroom is the last step of a long process of prototype creation going through rigorous stress tests to identify defects and mechanical problems and take action.
All tests are made in special labs where all on-road impact conditions are replicated to check so that the final product that reaches the market is the very best version according to the technology available at the time.
Safe car production benefits the manufacturer
Going through a design phase, creating prototypes and putting them under stress tests, implementing corrections and improvements, and starting over carries high costs for the manufacturers.
But on the other hand, having a recall for a poorly engineered or tested component can be detrimental to companies.
Therefore, conducting strict quality checks and increasing investments is beneficial to manufacturers in one way or another.
The benefits of implementing a QMS in the automotive industry
– Product consistency
It is very important that all vehicles produced in the manufacturing line are fully functional. Also, all features of the parts produced need to be aligned with the needs of the end users. Here comes the role of QMS in serving proactive solutions to mitigate the delivery of defective products or parts that are unnecessary. Because when using QMS product issues are immediately detected and resolved before the products leave the manufacturing line. Therefore, products are always improving decisions, and solutions are made based on metrics, not estimations.
– Compliance with standards
In the automotive industry, like all other production industries, all products should comply with the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO. Because meeting those conditions is the only way to get certified. The standards set by ISO ensure the safety and efficiency of the products manufactured as well as their quality. It also assures the reduction of the waste produced or even eliminates it, through preventive measures and continuous improvement techniques. In addition, employees’ performance and productivity are enhanced by the ISO standards. This is related to the continuous training and development programs that employees have to complete in order to get ISO certification. After going through continuous training employees will be ready to coop meet the changing needs of customers in the automotive industry.
– Efficiency in processes
Implementing quality processes will help deliver products to the end-users in a shorter span of time because quality processes mitigate issues that can lead to challenges that waste time and slow down the delivery of the products manufactured. A fast delivery time will make your customer greatly satisfied and increase your sales. It will also reinforce the loyalty of your customers to your brand.
– Resource effectiveness
QMS is also important for the automotive industry because it allows for resource effectiveness in terms of time and manpower. It greatly reduces manufacturing costs. It is well known that poor quality leads to wasting raw materials, slows the production process, and wastes time, it also results in product recalls. On the contrary, QMS guarantees the production of only high-quality parts and significantly mitigates the consequences that may occur by the production of poor-quality parts.
In conclusion, a quality management system has proven to be necessary for the manufacturing industry because it ensures the consistency of the products delivered to the end consumers. It also guarantees that the products manufactured comply with the standards specified in the industry. And in the automotive sector, this is of utmost importance because substandard vehicle parts may lead not only to damage the property but to loss of lives as well.
