Super Glues Are the Secret to Making Cars Lighter - Essay Example

Section 1: Article summaryIn the article, “Super Glues Are the Secret to Making Cars Lighter”, Hagerty, discusses the increasing use of adhesives in the car manufacturing industry. According to the author, most car manufacturers today such as BMW, General Motors and Ford are changing from the use of bolts and rivets in their manufacturing to the use of glues. Most of these companies are using adhesives in their manufacturing process because it helps manufacture lighter cars that fit the current market.

However, the use of adhesives in car manufacturing is faced with other challenges most of which question its safety and effectiveness.Section 2: Article critiqueMaking products based on customer needs and the target market can be essential in the success of any organization. In the article, Hagerty reveals the importance of the manufacturing process in operation and supply chain management of the companies (Hagerty and Ramsey 1). Today, most car customers are keen on fuel economy and efficiency cars.

Therefore, most customers will go for a lighter car that consume less fuel but can be used to offer the best services. It is evident that Companies that thrive to make their car lighter might earn a competitive advantage over other companies because most people prefer to buy lighter cars that meet the current fuel-economy requirements on the 21st century. If using adhesives can make cars lighter, companies that want success would include the use of glues in their manufacturing operations. It is evident from the article that successful companies are examples of car manufacturers that use a lot of adhesives in the manufacturing processes.

Companies such as Ford, BMW and General Motors know what it means to manufacture cars that meet the needs of their customers. For this reason, these companies are doing their best to make their products lighter even if it means replacing rivets with adhesives. The article highlights the importance of operations in the success and competitiveness of a company in the marketplace. Most customers need fuel efficient cars. Manufacturing lighter vehicles saves both operational costs and fuel consumption by the car.

Such a concept means that all companies that have the operational ability to manufactures lighter cars will gain competitive advantage the marketplace where fuel economy and lightness is important to the customers. Manufacturing products that meet consumer needs may translate to increased sales. Therefore, there is an evident link between operations sector in a company and its marketing and sales departments.The author’s arguments are justified by the success of companies such as ford, BMW and General Motors which manufacturer lighter cars.

World economic recession and increased costs of living exert a lot of pressure on resources to the extent that fuel prices are very high. In order to accommodate for the high fuel costs, most people prefer to buy fuel efficient vehicles. Most people go for lighter cars because they meet today’s fuel economy requirements. Car manufacturers are also making lighter cars that consume less fuel to meet the needs of their customer base. As the author indicates, most car manufacturers are increasing their use of adhesives in car manufacturing to make lighter cars.

All these efforts by car manufacturers are target earning competitive advantage and thus, increasing their sale in the market. Making cars lighter makes them go faster or use less fuel. As Siadpour (14), describes the quest and secret to success in the car manufacturing industry today is to manufacture lighter, fuel efficient cars that meet the needs of today’s consumer base. Works CitedHagerty, James and Mike. Ramsey. "Super Glues Are the Secret to Making Cars Lighter." The Wall Street Journal 8 September 2014.

Retrieved from: http://online.wsj.com/articles/super-glues-are-the-secret-to-making-cars-lighter-1410196062 Saidpour, Hossein. "Lightweight High Performance Materials for Car Body Structures." NTI Technology Conference, CEME, Ford Motor Company, 16 June @014. 2004. 14-19.