Fit to be built in USA in the future?
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 372
From: St.James Gate
My wife works for Honda of America in Marysville on the assembly line and she claims the cars being exported to Japan had not only different content but were held to higher tolerances in fit and finish.
You can read whatever you want into that;but it tells me the Japanese customer expects more from their product
You can read whatever you want into that;but it tells me the Japanese customer expects more from their product
Frequent FitFreak Poster
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 619
From: Houston
Originally Posted by bitterspeak
No I don't. But if you have documents to show me that Honda USA build quality is substantially worst than Japan, then by all means show me. But other than that, there is no reason that Japan build is "superior" to US build other than a bunch of "JDM Fanboi-ism."
american workers tend to have lazy work ethics as compared to the Japanese's work ethic of "working together for the betterment of the Japanese". now that alone should tell u something about 'build-quality' here in USA. americans have a 'working for yourself/family' sorta deal.
its good that they are making Honda factories here, to give jobs to former GM employees. but i still rather have my gf's fit built in Japan
newer TLs now are built in Ohio, but when the restyled TL first came out, it was from Japan.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 429
From: Houston
Originally Posted by 03DSM-RSX
lol, even President Bush said that GM needs to step up on their build quality and styling of cars if they want to keep up with the automotive competition.
american workers tend to have lazy work ethics as compared to the Japanese's work ethic of "working together for the betterment of the Japanese". now that alone should tell u something about 'build-quality' here in USA. americans have a 'working for yourself/family' sorta deal.
its good that they are making Honda factories here, to give jobs to former GM employees. but i still rather have my gf's fit built in Japan
newer TLs now are built in Ohio, but when the restyled TL first came out, it was from Japan.
american workers tend to have lazy work ethics as compared to the Japanese's work ethic of "working together for the betterment of the Japanese". now that alone should tell u something about 'build-quality' here in USA. americans have a 'working for yourself/family' sorta deal.
its good that they are making Honda factories here, to give jobs to former GM employees. but i still rather have my gf's fit built in Japan
newer TLs now are built in Ohio, but when the restyled TL first came out, it was from Japan.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 315
From: Miami, FL
Japanese consumers expect more so the tolerances are much higher in Japan than here plus their work ethic and culture are entirely different. Japanese generally strive for perfection and nothing less is acceptable while lazy Americans strive to do the least possible to just get by.
I would imagine that eventually the Fit will be produced here but not until MY2008 at the earliest.
I would imagine that eventually the Fit will be produced here but not until MY2008 at the earliest.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 207
From: CA
Originally Posted by 03DSM-RSX
lol, even President Bush said that GM needs to step up on their build quality and styling of cars if they want to keep up with the automotive competition.
american workers tend to have lazy work ethics as compared to the Japanese's work ethic of "working together for the betterment of the Japanese". now that alone should tell u something about 'build-quality' here in USA. americans have a 'working for yourself/family' sorta deal.
its good that they are making Honda factories here, to give jobs to former GM employees. but i still rather have my gf's fit built in Japan
newer TLs now are built in Ohio, but when the restyled TL first came out, it was from Japan.
american workers tend to have lazy work ethics as compared to the Japanese's work ethic of "working together for the betterment of the Japanese". now that alone should tell u something about 'build-quality' here in USA. americans have a 'working for yourself/family' sorta deal.
its good that they are making Honda factories here, to give jobs to former GM employees. but i still rather have my gf's fit built in Japan
newer TLs now are built in Ohio, but when the restyled TL first came out, it was from Japan.
Originally Posted by mav
Japanese consumers expect more so the tolerances are much higher in Japan than here plus their work ethic and culture are entirely different. Japanese generally strive for perfection and nothing less is acceptable while lazy Americans strive to do the least possible to just get by.
I would imagine that eventually the Fit will be produced here but not until MY2008 at the earliest.
I would imagine that eventually the Fit will be produced here but not until MY2008 at the earliest.
Last edited by bitterspeak; May 17, 2006 at 11:37 AM.
Someone that Posts too much
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 711
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
bitterspeak..
forget any documents, forget any proof.. how about a local unbias mechanic?
he had worked on countless brands, from countless countries and he had noted to me that over the years, as Honda have moved their plants to the US, that the cars themselves have a lot of quality issues, with the same parts (like exhaust systems) that failed on the same kind of cars.
he made the extrapolation, comparing the port of origin (japan vs. US in the honda, mexico vs. germany in the VW, etc) and finds that the "home market" car is always better built.
first thing he did when I pulled my Fit into his garage was put it up the hoist, he noted that the exhaust was way better built than anything on a civic, accoord, etc.. the welds were better and the construct is better. then he noted little things like they painted some of the bolts that tend to rust over time to protect them, whereas the "domestic" hondas don't..
i can go on and on..
it's true that the maufacuring technique is the same, but the people are different. Japanese people tend to "own" the product they produce, whereas here it seems, it's just a job.. 9-5.. etc
-joe
forget any documents, forget any proof.. how about a local unbias mechanic?
he had worked on countless brands, from countless countries and he had noted to me that over the years, as Honda have moved their plants to the US, that the cars themselves have a lot of quality issues, with the same parts (like exhaust systems) that failed on the same kind of cars.
he made the extrapolation, comparing the port of origin (japan vs. US in the honda, mexico vs. germany in the VW, etc) and finds that the "home market" car is always better built.
first thing he did when I pulled my Fit into his garage was put it up the hoist, he noted that the exhaust was way better built than anything on a civic, accoord, etc.. the welds were better and the construct is better. then he noted little things like they painted some of the bolts that tend to rust over time to protect them, whereas the "domestic" hondas don't..
i can go on and on..
it's true that the maufacuring technique is the same, but the people are different. Japanese people tend to "own" the product they produce, whereas here it seems, it's just a job.. 9-5.. etc
-joe
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 207
From: CA
Originally Posted by sillypuddy
bitterspeak..
forget any documents, forget any proof.. how about a local unbias mechanic?
he had worked on countless brands, from countless countries and he had noted to me that over the years, as Honda have moved their plants to the US, that the cars themselves have a lot of quality issues, with the same parts (like exhaust systems) that failed on the same kind of cars.
he made the extrapolation, comparing the port of origin (japan vs. US in the honda, mexico vs. germany in the VW, etc) and finds that the "home market" car is always better built.
first thing he did when I pulled my Fit into his garage was put it up the hoist, he noted that the exhaust was way better built than anything on a civic, accoord, etc.. the welds were better and the construct is better. then he noted little things like they painted some of the bolts that tend to rust over time to protect them, whereas the "domestic" hondas don't..
i can go on and on..
it's true that the maufacuring technique is the same, but the people are different. Japanese people tend to "own" the product they produce, whereas here it seems, it's just a job.. 9-5.. etc
-joe
forget any documents, forget any proof.. how about a local unbias mechanic?
he had worked on countless brands, from countless countries and he had noted to me that over the years, as Honda have moved their plants to the US, that the cars themselves have a lot of quality issues, with the same parts (like exhaust systems) that failed on the same kind of cars.
he made the extrapolation, comparing the port of origin (japan vs. US in the honda, mexico vs. germany in the VW, etc) and finds that the "home market" car is always better built.
first thing he did when I pulled my Fit into his garage was put it up the hoist, he noted that the exhaust was way better built than anything on a civic, accoord, etc.. the welds were better and the construct is better. then he noted little things like they painted some of the bolts that tend to rust over time to protect them, whereas the "domestic" hondas don't..
i can go on and on..
it's true that the maufacuring technique is the same, but the people are different. Japanese people tend to "own" the product they produce, whereas here it seems, it's just a job.. 9-5.. etc
-joe
The never noticed the painted bolts on the underside of the car.
I just wanted to note that I'm not trying to pick a fight with anyone. I just wanted someone to point out the flaws and imperfection of a Japanese car with US build quality. Anyone can simply say "Cars built in Japan are better then those built in America." But if not one can produce any reason, what's the point? playing the devil's advocate, I, for one, learned WHY, rather than follow the bandwagon.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 315
From: Miami, FL
Originally Posted by bitterspeak
Yes the GM quality is definitely sub-par. But then again I was comparing the US build by a Japanese company. Not US build by a US company. Regardless of having American workers in the Honda US factory, the Japanese standard and work ethics remain the same. That's the reason thay Honda and Toyota have continued to dominate the top of the most reliable list because after they perfected the reliability in Japan, they follow the very same procedure in whichever country they are produced. They don't come here (or any other country) and say "Cool! We're in America. Now we don't have to work as hard because we're not in Japan. We don't have to do as good of a job since the silly Americans can't tell the difference anyway." Most of the plant managers are Japanese big wigs who have been doing this for years so they definitely do not stray to far from their roots.
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 193
From: Portland, OR
I am glad I got a Japanese Fit because they do not have the monday and friday mentality that Americans do.
Meaning on Monday everyone has had a long weekend pf partying and does not work at maximum efficency. The Friday is the dya that all the workers are just thinking about the weekend and partying so the quality suffers.
Meaning on Monday everyone has had a long weekend pf partying and does not work at maximum efficency. The Friday is the dya that all the workers are just thinking about the weekend and partying so the quality suffers.
Someone that Posts too much
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 511
From: Philippines
High work ethic and enforced zero tolerance i think is the key. Something i seldomly see in my workplace alone and i'm sure it doesn't stop there. Zero tolerance is hancuffed by Unions, with that, alot of things suffers.
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 428
From: Vancouver, Canada
I'd also like to point out that a 6 day workweek or even SCHOOLweek is not out of the question in Japan, and in some cases, it is the norm. Even in Hong Kong I went to work 6 days a week often (around 8-6:30 average, 4 pm on Saturdays) and although I only had 5 days of school a week, it was from 8 am to 4 pm, which seems to be longer than what I see in Vancouver.
All those things said about work ethics in Japan vs the US, I firmly agree with many of them - the whole group mentality is different.
All those things said about work ethics in Japan vs the US, I firmly agree with many of them - the whole group mentality is different.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 315
From: Miami, FL
Originally Posted by bitterspeak
I was discussing your specific topic of work ethics.
Americans = mediocre work ethics (of course generalized comment, certainly does not apply to all Americans)
Someone that Posts too much
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 511
From: Philippines
Originally Posted by mav
Americans = mediocre work ethics (of course generalized comment, certainly does not apply to all Americans)
Same here, my comments does not apply to everyone.
June 2007 1st Place Fit of the Month Winner
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,664
From: The Latin Pot
having the car built in japan keeps more at ease...now many honda owners can say that their car was built in japan?...all U.S. now and canada built. I had a 240sx and i liked looking at the first letter of the VIN..."J" meaning built in japan and shipped...whether they start building the FIT here who cares...at least i know i was one of the many people that got it straight from japan...the japanese put my car together...i love JDM and it feels good having 100% japanese...
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 111
From: USA
Just end it now
I think since most people here are fat, lazy Americans we should all just commit suicide since we're good-for-nothings.
Sheesh....after reading this thread, I have no self esteem, nor any national pride left. I think I'll move to Japan to redeem myself.
Just joking
Sheesh....after reading this thread, I have no self esteem, nor any national pride left. I think I'll move to Japan to redeem myself.
Just joking
Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 129
From: Riverside, CA
Originally Posted by crankshaft
I think since most people here are fat, lazy Americans we should all just commit suicide since we're good-for-nothings.
Sheesh....after reading this thread, I have no self esteem, nor any national pride left. I think I'll move to Japan to redeem myself.
Just joking
Sheesh....after reading this thread, I have no self esteem, nor any national pride left. I think I'll move to Japan to redeem myself.
Just joking
It was really a culture shock for me when my professor in my undergrad in LA said that he can't help me with my homework because it's 6:30PM and his wife is pissed that he's not home yet.
Oh well, at least we get good reliable cars at the expense of people's lives
