Quote:
Originally Posted by death_blossom
you probably heard the same rumor where some former Honda execs went to the new ones to scold them and tell them how they're ruining the company.
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Apparently it actually did happen:
http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...uality-recalls
FTA:
Quote:
Honda achieved industry-leading levels of quality over the past three decades through forming "keiretsu" -- bringing parts makers closer to the core through cross-shareholdings to allow close cooperation in designing components. Toyota and Nissan had similar set-ups.
But, as cars have become less mechanical and more technical -- and quality is seen as a given -- the focus has shifted to who can offer buyers "more car" at an affordable price.
That has prompted automakers like Honda to focus on core technology such as hybrid propulsion and hydrogen fuel-cell cars, while commodity parts such as doors, seats, and even transmission, are now procured more widely rather than from "keiretsu" suppliers, with the risk they may be cheaper rather than better.
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Cliffs:
People want a lot of car for a relatively low price.
Somehow a nav system, automatic climate control, leather seats, bluetooth this, power that, is seen as a "necessity" in a sub-20,000 dollar economy car.
Manufacturers struggle to deliver this, and the quality of other parts (parts the average buyer won't ever see, touch, fix, or repair) suffers.
IMO if consumers weren't so damn unrealistic (aka asking for BMW levels of luxury from an Accord) the Japanese wouldn't have this problem. Personally I would rather have a super reliable, fun to drive, well-built car with barely any "features" than a fully loaded car that is a complete shitpile...