Question

Define the main quality characteristics of manufacturing cars following the 9 dimensions of product quality.
Define at least two scenarios of the electric car production process where you would use some of the 7 basic quality tools. Provide an example of how it would
actually work.

Answer 1

Main quality characteristics of manufacturing cars following the 9 dimensions of product quality are:

1. Performance: The performance is referred to the ability of car to cater to the need appropriately for which it has been manufactured and are the primary operating characteristics. For e.g. A passenger car’s performance is measured by its mileage, a sports car performance is measured by its top speed and pick up rate etc.

2. Features: These are the secondary aspects of performance and supplement the basic functioning of car. For e.g. Automatic sliding window, artificial intelligence, Bluetooth connection, automatic sun roof etc.

3. Reliability: This dimension reflects the probability of a product malfunctioning or failing within a specified time period. The more durable car will have better protection and robust body parts which helps the car to function for longer period of time without failure.

4. Conformance: Conformance is the degree to which a product's design and operating characteristics meet established standards. For e.g. Jaguar and Land Rover cars follow a special standards and guidelines for manufacturing the outer design of car and a slight failure in adhering to the guideline will result to failing of conformance.

5. Durability: The average life of a car was about 10-12 years, with a rather large scatter between manufacturers. The areas which corrode within a car are those relatively small areas which are badly designed with regards to corrosion.

6. Serviceability: Serviceability means how expensive and how easy the repairs are going to be down the road. For e.g. In the car BMW 3.3.Li, the air conditioner didn't work properly; the cost of getting it fixed was significantly higher than other cars because of the way the A/C unit is installed in the car. Another example is the service light in the car - while the car had a standard OBD-II port which could read error messages, it required a special BMW reader to reset the service light.

7. Aesthetics: It is basically the visual appearance and attractiveness of the car by look. Depends on the outer styling of the car’s body and depends on type of car. For e.g. Sporty, desert vehicle etc.

8. Perceived Quality: The term "Perceived Quality" refers to the quality that customers acknowledge via the look, the touch, and the feel of a car. For example, in a showroom, the customer would first take a glance around the car, then open the door, sit on the seat, and check the quality of the details.

9. Safety: It is basically the amount of safety; the car provides to the driver and the passengers during crash of the vehicle. E.g. Safety bag, chassis design, Centre of gravity of the car etc.

Two scenarios of the electric car production process where you would use some of the 7 basic quality tools are:

1) Ishikawa Diagram or the fishbone diagram used for checking the rotor of the electric car, during the final run test of the electric vehicle.

The electric rotor did not work (Issue), so now Ishikawa diagram for it is made.

2) Check sheet used during the assembly of battery in the electric car.

A qualitative check sheet showing the parameters to follow while the battery is placed in the vehicle to avaid defects at later stage.

Here in the image below, we see the battery leak check is crossed out i.e. the battery can not be assembled till the leak check is tick marked.

The 1 inch clearance test from neighbouring parts is also left to be done, since it is unticked. After all the parameters are ticked only then the assemble procedure should be carried forward.