Many argue that the sole viable future for the automobile industry - indeed for all industry - is the adoption of 'lean production' as an organizational model. One Best Way? brings together the research of academic specialists in the automobile industry who have analysed the evolution of 15 major Asian, North American, and European companies in terms of their technological, organizational, commercial and social 'trajectories'. They look closely at the evidence for 'one best way' and argue that it is more useful to assess the distinctive challenges and 'trajectories' that companies have pursued as they try to optimize their profit-making capacities. The book present detailed descriptions of the major producers around the world in three sections: Asia: Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai North America: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler Europe: Peugeot, Renault, Rover, Mercedes, Volvo, Lada The book will be essential reading and reference for academics, researchers, and analysts worldwide wanting to track the course of the automobile industry and assess the merits of 'lean production'.