Ford's answers to the NHTSA 6.7 Investigation
There was a request for a link to Ford's answer's to the NHTSA investigation posted on a previous thread, since closed. Here is the link: Ford's NHTSA Answers to the 6.7 investigation This PDF i...
Forum Discussion
BenK
One of the most difficult thing for outsiders (even in the electronics biz) to understand is how hard the auto electronics business is.
Off hand, I cannot think of an application of equivalent volume where the harshness of the environment, number of cycles, longevity of components etc. have to live with at the price point that auto makers are willing to pay.
Then there is the liability trail --- recall the TI subsidiary that made the cruise control deact switch? They did exactly what they were speced to do, and ultimately, the risk to TI was such (even though they were indemnified and Ford honored the deal) that they unloaded the subsidiary.
The risk involved in making a $4 part just don't jive with the rewards.
Since we are on the subject of lemons... did you remember the FIA program? Some bingo speced regular tin or lead/tin solder on a project that must have silver... with predictable results.
So much of the times, the disconnect between the technicians and managers is so broad that it is very hard to manage the product well and still make reasonable ROI decisions.
I am never for gold plating, but I have a colleague who saw a major aerospace contractor in the 70s finding a much better way after the design has already been frozen, and the frozen design met specs. The engineering decision was to scrap everything, and go for the new from scratch.
Things can go out of hand from the technical direction too... that balance is very hard to achieve.
One of the most difficult thing for outsiders (even in the electronics biz) to understand is how hard the auto electronics business is.
Off hand, I cannot think of an application of equivalent volume where the harshness of the environment, number of cycles, longevity of components etc. have to live with at the price point that auto makers are willing to pay.
Then there is the liability trail --- recall the TI subsidiary that made the cruise control deact switch? They did exactly what they were speced to do, and ultimately, the risk to TI was such (even though they were indemnified and Ford honored the deal) that they unloaded the subsidiary.
The risk involved in making a $4 part just don't jive with the rewards.
Since we are on the subject of lemons... did you remember the FIA program? Some bingo speced regular tin or lead/tin solder on a project that must have silver... with predictable results.
So much of the times, the disconnect between the technicians and managers is so broad that it is very hard to manage the product well and still make reasonable ROI decisions.
I am never for gold plating, but I have a colleague who saw a major aerospace contractor in the 70s finding a much better way after the design has already been frozen, and the frozen design met specs. The engineering decision was to scrap everything, and go for the new from scratch.
Things can go out of hand from the technical direction too... that balance is very hard to achieve.
