[QUOTE]Originally posted by andymlow

 

We have decided to move production of the NSX, Insight, and S2000 from the Takanezawa Plant to the Suzuka Plant by the summer of 2004. This will increase the flexibility of niche model production by integrating the entire production process starting from the engine. We will continue our effort to introduce innovations to our production system and begin to look for even more advanced automation technologies.

 

oops, this is from a link WhiteS2K posted.

 

This explains why I've found two, brand new 10mm bolts rattling/rolling around forward of my fuel tank. Annoyed the living poop out of me for months.

Kris

 

I found two steel washers in the rail beneath the airbox when my 03 was brand new. I kept hearing something roll/slide forward when I stopped and then roll/slide back when I accelerated. After cornering they would slide all the way to one side where I could fish them out. I still have them somewhere. I have always wondered if this was actually someone's idea of a joke. It drove me nuts for like a week. Every time I looked under the hood they were centered under the airbox where i couldn't see them, It was just by chance I cornered hard coming home threw them to side where they were visible. I think they were in there from the factory. I've heard a story about factory workers tying a note to washer and dropping in the door panel, although that was on a german car I think. My dad is a claims adjuster and I guess there was an insurance claim made. The note read something like " I hope you had a hard time finding this you rich son of a b"

 

S2000s built in the Takanezawa plant are hand assembled like Muz indicated. "Hand built" suggests to me that body panels are formed by hand with hammers and english wheels, all welding is done by hand, suspension bits are forged by a blacksmith, etc. That's not the case.

I've been to the Takanezawa plant and watched them assemble UK S2000s - they're put together just like the link above about the NSX.

There's no indication if NSX and S2000 production in the Suzuka plant will be by the same procedures. The "look for even more advanced automation technologies" suggests to me there will be less human involvement in the build of our cars.

For what it's worth, the people at the Tochigi factory take a LOT of pride in building a car with as few defects as possible. I'm not good enough with Japanese culture to tell for sure, but I think I insulted them when I asked how many defects they find in S2000s they built.

 

Build means to order parts and make something (as in a house). Assemble is the putting together of parts that fit with each other in order to make something. S2000 is hand assembled by assembly line workers.

 

here you go...I bought my MY04' on May 13th, 2004 (If this helps at all)

 

I rest my case...