I noticed the paint quality is better on the Japan built Honda's then the US built Honda's. US seems to have more orange peel, I think it has to do with VOC regulations. Also the Japan honda's tend to have less paint defects and pannels seem to fit more snug.

 

Hmmmmmm.....

I have been on the floor for several suppliers for Japanese cars here in the US. In most cases, these plants are operated by Japanese in the US, using Japanese equipment and Japanese specs.

And the biggie is Japanese investment, comitment and belief in communities that often times really needed some good high skilled jobs when they came and put people to work. The (US and Japanese, side by side on the same floor) workers take pride in these plants in what they do, contrary to what several people wish to claim, wish or think is true without firsthand experience on these pages.

One plant, whose sister plant in Japan made many bits for out Fits tests 100% of its components before they go out the door, failures are rare. And, they are the sole supplier for some models world wide, so if you bought your JDM Nissan in Japan, the part still came out of a small town in Tennessee.

Take Toyota for example, people actually go to "school" before hitting the line in Japan, Eastern Europe, or Kentucky. The training and associated costs are important enough that they offset the cost of poor quality products in the end.

So say what you want when it comes to American labor, anyone is capable of anything when the workplace and corporate culture is one that supports quality, production, safety, communication and constant improvement.

 

Which doesn't exist, instead you have UNION employees complaining just about anything. Union is good to some extent but promotes a lot of negatives resulting in poor communication and prevents any kind of improvement. I see it everyday at my workplace, so it isn't something i'm just saying for arguments sake. Very poor work ethics is what i can say about my co-workers (few good ones).

 

Please go back and read my post above, it does work, both in union and non union plants, and yes, there are even UNIONIZED Japanese owned plants where this happens.

I work day in and day out with union and non union facilities and yes, the problems can both be tied to labor and management in some cases, but often you are dealing with a management problem that does not promote an open environment (and not just Japanese, US, French and Canadian owned firms are much the same), or, on occasion, a local that wants something (contract time....)

On that note, it has been fun for me at work to sit and watch GM/Dephi and the UAW, it appears that both want to sink together....

 

When I was a young lad I heard that you should find out what day a car was made on before buying it.
Dont buy cars built in America on Mondays, Fridays or the day before or after a Holliday. Cars built on Wednesdays are the most reliable.

As for Mexican built cars. My Chrysler PT Cruiser was made in Mexico. It happens to be the most reiable car in Chryslers lineup. Still a PT is not a Honda or Toyota so is a step below even there US made Japan cars.