New United Motors Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI)

New United Motors Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) is a joint venture between General Motors (GM) and Toyota. Begun in 1983, NUMMI continues to be one of the most efficient of U.S. manufacturing plants and produces automobiles that are at the top of the quality ratings. The case describes how Jamie Hresko, an experienced GM manager, spent several weeks at NUMMI as an operator working on the assembly line. Uses background data and Jamie’s experience to illustrate how the NUMMI system operates. Designed to explore how the alignment of HR practices can produce extraordinary results in a manufacturing facility. Challenges the reader to explain why NUMMI is so successful and whether this approach can be used in other settings.