Car Quality: American vs Foreign (mainly Japanese)

[NoleATL]

I think only the most misguided patriot would argue that generally, American cars are built with the same quality as Japanese cars. Japanese cars have been superior for quite some time. I've had multiple vehicles that support this statement. Why are they better? Have the reasons changed over time?

Design?
Engineering?
Materials?
Assembly practices?
Assembly worker skillset?
Assembly worker pride of workmanship?
Holding assembly workers accountable for consistency?
Unions?
Combination of multiple of these?

Do we have any autoworkers on HBOT?

 

[General Tso]

Kanban, bruv

 

[InsaneHawkJJP]

I think only the most misguided patriot would argue that generally, American cars are built with the same quality as Japanese cars. Japanese cars have been superior for quite some time. I've had multiple vehicles that support this statement. Why are they better? Have the reasons changed over time?

Design?
Engineering?
Materials?
Assembly practices?
Assembly worker skillset?
Assembly worker pride of workmanship?
Holding assembly workers accountable for consistency?
Unions?
Combination of multiple of these?

Do we have any autoworkers on HBOT?

I used to be a misguided patriot. I’m glad I saw the light, because you’re 100% correct.

 

[NoleATL]

I used to be a misguided patriot. I’m glad I saw the light, because you’re 100% correct.

Same... I tried my best. But replacing transmissions etc at 50k miles taught me better.

 

[HROT]

It’s tougher to put an American flag decal on a Toyota or Nippon truck

 

[seminole97]

Had a friend that was a Kettering grad (GM’s college) and an engineer/manager for several years at GM. Then she went to work at Honda. She said that Honda sets the decimal point for errors several spots to the right of GM.

Soft bigotry of low expectations at the ‘American’ manufacturers? You have Americans running the plants under all of them in this country, so why else do they differ?

 

[noleclone2]

Many of the Japanese cars are made in America.

I have had incredible good runs with the two Ford Explorers I have owned over last 11 years. 225k miles total and zero dollars of any repair cost. Just maintenance. The Odyssey minivan I had prior was terrible. My wife has a Toyota Highlander that does great too.

I also think a lot is what models. Some models of American and Japanese vehicles just seem better than others in same company.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

When your design philosophy is “functional obsolescence” I find it surprising that US quality is inferior.

Although some US brands and models are very good.

 

[HROT]

US manufacturers feel like the Cheesecake Factory of automakers. 6 page menu, but really not a particularly strong master of any one dish.

 

[NoleATL]

Soft bigotry of low expectations at the ‘American’ manufacturers? You have Americans running the plants under all of them in this country, so why else do they differ?

I agree, this is why it isn't inherently the workers. Trained better to work at the plants? Better engineering? Tolerance?

 

[NoleATL]

Many of the Japanese cars are made in America.

I have had incredible good runs with the two Ford Explorers I have owned over last 11 years. 225k miles total and zero dollars of any repair cost. Just maintenance. The Odyssey minivan I had prior was terrible. My wife has a Toyota Highlander that does great too.

I also think a lot is what models. Some models of American and Japanese vehicles just seem better than others in same company.

My Explorer was HORRIBLE and resulted in my switch to Japanese.

 

[Whiskeydeltadeltatango]

It's materials used. My "Japenese" tundra was made in Texas and has lived outside 95% of its life. Any "American made" 12 ywar old truck is a rust bucket. Mine doesn't have a spec of rust due to better metal and me washing it occasionally.

 

[ISUBryce]

Shouldn’t limit it to Japan. South Korea doing good work now too. And China is growing very fast. If the follow the quality improvements of an automaker like Kia in 5-10 years they will be quite good.

In my own experience the worst lemon I’ve ever owned was a 2017 F150. Constant repairs needed basically as soon as the warranty expired at 60k miles.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

I owned a Dodge Journey. Unfortunately I bought it when it first came out before it had its shitty track rec 😔

Absolute disaster of a vehicle.

The AI overview is correct…

A Dodge Journey is generally considered a "bad vehicle" due to its poor reliability, frequent electrical issues, below-average driving dynamics, and a reputation for needing significant repairs once out of warranty, making it a less-than-ideal choice for most car buyers, especially when compared to other vehicles in its class.

 

[Thunderlips71]

I was also a foolish patriot, but about 25 years ago got fed up with GM and made the switch to Honda, which is far superior. Since then I’ve had two more Hondas and a Subaru Outback which is about to hit 270k miles. I have a fishing boat and have bought a new 2014 F-150 and then a used 2021 Expedition and have generally been very happy with Ford.

 

[Bank of Hawk]

It's materials used. My "Japenese" tundra was made in Texas and has lived outside 95% of its life. Any "American made" 12 ywar old truck is a rust bucket. Mine doesn't have a spec of rust due to better metal and me washing it occasionally.

I have an 07 Silverado, still runs like a champ, but it’s a rust bucket.

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

I think only the most misguided patriot would argue that generally, American cars are built with the same quality as Japanese cars. Japanese cars have been superior for quite some time. I've had multiple vehicles that support this statement. Why are they better? Have the reasons changed over time?

Design?
Engineering?
Materials?
Assembly practices?
Assembly worker skillset?
Assembly worker pride of workmanship?
Holding assembly workers accountable for consistency?
Unions?
Combination of multiple of these?

Do we have any autoworkers on HBOT?

The real reason, the average blue collar worker from Japan comes from a much better upbringing, family atmosphere, work ethic expectations, elementary and high school education. I think it's a culture thing more than anything.

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

Depends. Brands like Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Acura, generally have good track records with reliability. I'd argue that Isuzu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Nissan (since the Renault takeover) aren't really any better than Fords or Chevys. If we are looking for a stereotyped list of reliability I'd go,
1)Japanese
2) American
3/4) Korean and Eurotrash (Chrysler/Stellantis products included)

I believe the best manufacturers engineer their cars better for the things that I find most important (reliability) and they demand higher standards from their suppliers and contractors.

 

[darylhawk]

I’ll be up to 20 years on my Taco in November, and have had to do basically nothing. Small suspension type things cause it’s towed a boat down a lot of gravel roads. 230K on original clutch and going strong. Can even see at night again after I replaced the headlights.

Both my Chevys started having major problems around 120K

 

[The Tradition]

I think only the most misguided patriot would argue that generally, American cars are built with the same quality as Japanese cars. Japanese cars have been superior for quite some time. I've had multiple vehicles that support this statement. Why are they better? Have the reasons changed over time?

Design?
Engineering?
Materials?
Assembly practices?
Assembly worker skillset?
Assembly worker pride of workmanship?
Holding assembly workers accountable for consistency?
Unions?
Combination of multiple of these?

Do we have any autoworkers on HBOT?

Japanese vehicles are better because in Japan, quality is like a religious belief.

If you design a crap car, you're expected to kill yourself.

Now THAT is motivation to produce a fine automobile.

 

[Breastman]

The real reason, the average blue collar worker from Japan comes from a much better upbringing, family atmosphere, work ethic expectations, elementary and high school education. I think it's a culture thing more than anything.

Which is an interesting statement considering your real family in Japan is your work family.

When the Japanese leave work, they say 'Otsukaresama deshita' which translates to 'I'm sorry to be leaving work before you'. Can you imagine working a 14-hour day and then apologizing for leaving? Those folks clock in.