Exercise 2: Use of a Grid Analysis (Weighted Scoring
Model) to Help Make the North American Plant Location
Decision for the RX 330
This exercise illustrates how when deciding among two or more
competing options, various decision factors (which can typically be
characterized as exogenous - in the environment external to the
company, hence largely outside its control - or endogenous -
internal to the company, therefore largely under its control) can be
qualitatively identified, and how these factors can then be weighted
to obtain an overall score for each competing location option.
An example of an exogenous factor is regulations or laws
established by the government where the company operates. An
example of an endogenous factor is the wages the company elects
to pay, where not constrained by law.
a. List the factors your team considers key to the Toyota
Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC): The Lexus RX 330
Line North American plant location decision, identifying
these factors as either exogenous or endogenous, weighting
them using your team''s best judgment (stating any relevant
assumptions or constraints), and assigning two scores to each
factor: one for production of the Lexus RX 330 at TMMC, and one
for production at a Toyota factory in the
USA.
b. Using the scores from your team''s weighted scoring model and
working with regard to Ringo Sho and Nemawashi, make and
support your recommendation for the RX 330 North
American plant location - TMMC or a factory in the USA