On a dollar-return-basis the two seem about equal.

On a “I really want to live” basis…anybody who manufactures a water container that leaks water can count on never seeing my repeat business.

I think my story has some relevance to the subject matter of this post.

Tom.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/22/brilliance-bs6s-adac-crash-test-is-anything-but/

That is not a fact, that is a shortsighted stereotype.

Perhaps the Democrats are looking more appealing after all. We can erect tariff barriers and then bitch about it all for a decade through a corrupt WTO.

Yes, no regard is pretty scant. The Chinese don’t recognize any such thing as intellectual property rights. Communism remember, the state-I mean the people-own everything; there is no private property (in theory). They may soften their stance in the interest of luring silly flies-I mean foreign partners-into their web only to suck them dry, but don’t think for one minute that there is any pardigm shift in their philosophy or means of governance.

there is no doubt that the government of China will do whatever it takes to bias the domestic market in favor of home-grown automakers, including (but not limited to) punitive taxes.

Or, just outright siezure. Once again, communism means no private property rights or even lip service to them in China. It is literally and figuratively a foreign concept to them.

It seems to me that foreign automakers, both European and American are once again taking an extremely short-term view. They don’t seem to care what the long-term consequences may be; they are forming these “partnerships” for the short-term profits they bring. It makes all these automobile manufacturers look desperate, stupid, or both.

Steve-K you are so right about the Chinese business ethic.

A few years ago I was hired by a fellow from China to go the "Big I" aftermarket trade show in Chicago. He thought because I had worked a few years for the big 3 and was Canadian I would be helpful. He told me he needed someone who had been around the North American auto market and spoke english better than him that I would be helpful. He said he was looking for new products that he could get the rights to sell in Canada.

On our trip we stayed in nice downtown hotel, ate well he obviuosly had cash to throw around. The night before the show he came to my door to leave some adds for some eqipment he wanted to look at particularily. At 10 PM he was all dressed up in a nice suit, white shirt and tie. I asked him if he was going out to party, he said no, he was going to bed.

Sure enough next mornoing I met him in the lobby, there he stood slept in suit, pink plastic attache case, hair a mess. I asked him what was up, he said you don't get, Americans thnk I just poor stupid Chinaman. That story repeated itself 3 mornings.

He ended up buying a tire balancing machine for cash that we took back to Canada with us.

Turns out he liked the product, it had some neat ideas, so he bought the show sample as the man at the booth would not talk to him about licensing.

Turns out that he tore that machine down, put it in 4 boxes shipped on different days to avoid one of his countryman intercepting it in China and copying it and bringing it to the flea markets here before him. It turns out that he was the guy who looked for good products in the USA to send back to his family who ran a huge tool making company.

When I finally clued in to what he was doing he said don't you get it, he no sell to me, he had his chance; so I steel.

“My parents had a toaster they got for their wedding in 1952, for about 10-15 years and it worked (and it was only replaced because the old style “door” toaster was antique by then, replaced by pop-up toasters). When I grew up, I can recall my parents using the same (newer) pop-up toaster all through my youth and teen years. Things lasted.”

You can still buy durable, quality appliances:

http://tinyurl.com/yrxfrg

You get what you pay for; and a lot of people want to pay next-to-nothing. What’s the cost of a cheap toaster? 1/2 an hours salary? 1 hour?

That Dualit probably costs a similar amount in real terms to your parents 1952 model.

We can’t blame the Chinese for cheap toasters – they’re just making what people want. I’m sure they’d love to sell you a long-lasting $170 DuaFengLit – if only you would buy it :-)

cheers

Malcolm

Firstly, the established companies (particularly GM) are looking to China as a source of profits and expansion. When their “partners” start attacking them, their profits can only go one way (Hint: not up).
Secondly, as Mr Williams points out, China aren’t exactly sticklers for rules when it comes to intellectual property and copyright. Which means, China won’t be short of designs to wow their marketplace.
Thirdly, these Chinese companies also have a secret weapon in the shape of the government. These are still partly nationalised companies and the government will always give them money*.

So let’s recap, the Chinese will copy and steal other people’s designs, have deep pockets and know the market better than the foreigners.

However, it’s not all bleak. The one disadvantage the Chinese have is their lack of technology. Depsite the rise of the Red dragon, their technological infrastructure is still in its infancy (their army is woefully equipped and the UK has 50% more nuclear bombs that them. Even France has more than China! But France will never use them, they’ll be too busy running in the opposite direction!). But this disadvantage won’t last long as China have got MG and are now eyeing up Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo. Then, China will have established, well thought of brands to exploit in China. Then, the others will be in even deeper trouble!

* = This might sounds like an unfair practice, but lest we forget, Renault is still 15% owned by the French government and they have pumped money into Renault many times, too.

Maybe we could see a follow-up article on India?

They may be around but not selling much if the government wants to support the domestics and get the transplants out, something sounds familiar in a backward opposite kind of way.

As image and brand-conscious Chinese continue to prosper and buy cars, Toyota, Honda, VW, Buick and others will always be around in China.

Thing is, this means about 80% of the stuff out there is off-limits.

My mode of dress is going to take a bit of a hit…

I agree, and have already (for several years) attempted to find alternatives to “Made in China” with limited success.

Little items, for example toasters, made in Mexico last about as long as those made in China (a couple of years if you are lucky).

My parents had a toaster they got for their wedding in 1952, for about 10-15 years and it worked (and it was only replaced because the old style “door” toaster was antique by then, replaced by pop-up toasters). When I grew up, I can recall my parents using the same (newer) pop-up toaster all through my youth and teen years. Things lasted.

Except for safety regulations. But I suppose they’ll eventually catch up there too, and actually be able to sell their cars in the US and Europe. Until then, they’ll have the #2 market for cars, and that’s it.

If the past is any indication, the US companies will fail miserably. Short-term profits will bask in the sunlight; long-term planning will scurry to a dark corner.