Really? How do you support your shallow conclusion? Mazda has been loosing money for 4 straight years partly due to the economy here in the States. So they decide to save money on labor by moving production plants to Mexico and Thailand where labor cost half if not less then here in the States and that makes it a company of less quality? Hondas, VWs, Fords, GMs, and Chrysler products have been getting built down south in Mexico for years. Just because the production is not here in the States doesn't mean cars are built differently. Plants still have to follow corporate procedures and utilize machinery and parts provided by the same vendors as any other plant in the world whether it be here in the States or in Japan. Mazda is simply trying to save money to keep afloat with out having to go the GM and Chrysler route and ask to get their asses saved. Don't undermind a decision for ANY car maker to move the production to another country other then the US unless you have factual data to support it.
I hope you get to read my post #15 above. I don’t care for US made cars either (not referring to brand) but I do hope and think this will change as it seems we are, again, growing a sense of pride in manufacturing that we lost due to complacency. Until the Japanese standard of quality degrade, that is where I will turn to for my car and most other electronic device purchases. I have read about Mexcio quality but I’m with them yet. If the Mz5 was not made in Japan we would not be having this discussion
I understand you work for an auto conglomerate and see parts of the puzzle. I work in supporting the manufacturing world (all industries) and see the other half. I fully support globalization and see its advantages but there disadvantages. Some factors on why companies move is due to 1) education/skill of the labor for force (repetitive assembly don’t require much education/skill but when it comes to critical components, hell yeah it matters), 2) taxes and trade regulation advantages, 3) companies commitment to the local economy to sell more and 4) suppliers, suppliers, suppliers! #4 dictate so much. Company move to a place of cheaper manufacturing to cut cost (a penny saved is a penny earned). This is also when they re-evaluate and move on to a new logistically cheaper supplier. I would say this is the #1 reason why made in China has such a bad rep. It is not their lack of ability to make quality stuff, it is the low quality of components that American company X decided to switch to since they are now being made in china instead of shipping said part from former supplier American company Y that supplied it better but ultimately cost more. It is American company X who ultimately decided the new bad quality if good enough, not the Chinese manufacturers (lead paint not withstanding). I don’t have any ‘data’ to back this up but look no further than your iPad/iPhone. Do you think Mazda is going to be like American company X or like Apple (doing it the right way by sourcing the latest cutting edge AND quality tech components while building them to a standard, which one reason why they cost more)? Mazda, without a strong partner, has less negotiation/buying power and low global market presence yet they have to stay competitive on pricing. I am not optimistic they will act like Apple. I like to root for the underdog but it is going to be tough.
FWIW, I am the type who don’t follow brand loyalty, for better or worst. I will buy what is best on the market, at the time, for the best value, and suite my needs –it is my law of averages and understand everything has a trade off.
Yes, I will undermine the decision for ANY company (not just limited to cars) to move production overseas b/c it is not for my advantage and is a lost to something else. Well, they say the move will make it cheaper for me buy without saying the product itself will be cheaper too. I am wiling to pay more for quality. This will all change once we are ONE world without nations and held to the same standard but that’s another story.
EDIT: On another note, I hope the 'No' voters could share their opinion.
