As someone who works very close in the automotive world (I'm from the Detroit area), I can tell you that quality from both sides of the Pacific are about the same. The same money goes into quality controls and the same effort is put forth by each camp.
I'm on the road right now and thought I would try out a Toyota 4-runner as my rental. The layout is horrible! You have to reach under the door handle to roll-down the window and the "auto" feature on the windows is way to sensitve, which almost turned into an ugly drive-thru incident. The panel cofiguration is confusing and there is only 1 power outlet (that I can find anyway), which makes it impossible to plug in my GPS, XM radio and charge my phone. I was actually expecting much more from this vehicle and would never buy one.
And before anyone starts their comments, I work for a Japanese company that designs automated equipment. Most of our customers are Japanese transplant companies that supply Toyota and Honda. Actually, I designed a lot of the assembly line that actually assembled the same window switches I complained about above! (have to talk to those guys next week)
So I actually make a pretty good living on Toyota and Honda and am not "Buy American or Else". I just know for a fact that all car companies put a lot of money into quality and I directly make a good living because of it!
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I'm with Ladderless, this is all perception now.
As someone who works very close in the automotive world (I'm from the Detroit area), I can tell you that quality from both sides of the Pacific are about the same. The same money goes into quality controls and the same effort is put forth by each camp.
I'm on the road right now and thought I would try out a Toyota 4-runner as my rental. The layout is horrible! You have to reach under the door handle to roll-down the window and the "auto" feature on the windows is way to sensitve, which almost turned into an ugly drive-thru incident. The panel cofiguration is confusing and there is only 1 power outlet (that I can find anyway), which makes it impossible to plug in my GPS, XM radio and charge my phone. I was actually expecting much more from this vehicle and would never buy one.
And before anyone starts their comments, I work for a Japanese company that designs automated equipment. Most of our customers are Japanese transplant companies that supply Toyota and Honda. Actually, I designed a lot of the assembly line that actually assembled the same window switches I complained about above! (have to talk to those guys next week)
So I actually make a pretty good living on Toyota and Honda and am not "Buy American or Else". I just know for a fact that all car companies put a lot of money into quality and I directly make a good living because of it!