Master Craftsmen, a classification of skilled, highly trained workers almost completely eliminated by the rise of mass production, once again are making their presence felt in the automotive industry. They are the people entrusted with putting the final polish of quality and excellence on the redesigned Lexus LS 600h L, LS 460 and LS 460 L

Once upon a time, Master Craftsmen personified a valued old-world tradition that ensured quality and workmanship. Because this tradition consisted of masters and apprentices, it also guaranteed that the skills involved in craftsmanship would be passed from generation to generation. However, in all but a few factories, the pace of the assembly line and the insistence of speed over excellence and quality almost completely eliminated Master Craftsmen from the automotive business.

General Motors Corporation announced recently that it is scheduling multiple down weeks at 13 assembly operations in North America. Under this plan, approximately 190,000 vehicles will be removed from GM’s North American production in the second and early third quarter of this year.

There are three primary reasons for this scheduled downtime:

• Dealer vehicle inventories are at high levels, given the current depressed market.
• The shutdown will allow GM the opportunity to bring production in line with current market demand.
• The downtime actions also consider the possible production implications of the complicated and difficult negotiations with Delphi and its debtor in possession lenders.