02-22-2018, 04:36 PM | #45 |
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Having owned a 2013 Q5, I still look in on the Q5 forum at Audiworld. After over a year on the market there doesn't seem to be any widespread or major issues with the Mexico built new gen Q5. Probably too early to declare no problems, but so far so good,
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02-22-2018, 05:02 PM | #46 | |
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02-22-2018, 05:03 PM | #47 |
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Yeah, it's not only Audi too. Almost every brand builds some car/truck here these days for export.
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02-22-2018, 05:08 PM | #48 |
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About even lol.
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02-22-2018, 07:20 PM | #49 |
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I wonder about the auto "ecosystem" in the particular country. The auto plants are usually referred to as the "final assembly plant" but I wonder what components are made in/near Rosslyn vs Germany or other countries? Are interior pieces, panels, electrical components, etc made in South Africa or imported from elsewhere? Anyone know?
I'm sure all components are spec'd out, but for example, could things like the interior quality materials-wise (plastics, leather) not assembly vary slightly from Germany to SA or Mexico (perhaps it's better!)? Last edited by misterjim; 02-22-2018 at 07:30 PM.. |
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02-22-2018, 07:38 PM | #50 | |
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- Several final assembly plants from diverse manufacturers in the general geographic area (within say 200-300 miles of each other) - Many parts suppliers locally that feed these plants - Very importantly, a relatively large work force with experience in the sector - Parts suppliers that feed plants elsewhere As a matter of fact, I think we can actually talk of "the NAFTA ecosystem" for building cars. Lots of parts cross the border in both directions. Our cheaper labour actually helps US plants to stay open and competitive with say, plants in China or Europe. Trade is not a zero sum game. Since NAFTA, the auto industry has expanded in all 3 countries, partly because the free trade among us enables greater overall competitiveness. I am sure there are risks involved in starting up a new auto plant anywhere. I am also pretty confident that BMW has the processes in place to do it well.
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02-22-2018, 07:43 PM | #51 | |
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I am frankly surprised at how little negative impact on us the new US administration has had so far. I was extremely pessimistic after your election and braced for a recession. None of that has happened. And it's looking increasingly that NAFTA may be updated including some things that I think we definitely can use the pressure on: - Anti-corruption chapter (this is critical and the bane of Mexico) - A requirement to raise wages and standard of living. We cannot continue to base our competitiveness on cheap labour. That path is stupid, so I am actually thankful for the pressure in that area
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02-22-2018, 08:27 PM | #52 |
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Hats off to BMW for taking a long term view and investing in the communities where they manufacture cars. I think the US big three have had a much worse record at home and overseas in that regard. BMW is a force for positive growth in developing countries.
On the negative side - those cool special edition cars have their steering wheels on the wrong side. |
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02-22-2018, 09:44 PM | #53 | |
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02-22-2018, 10:08 PM | #54 | |
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Stop trying to turn everything into racism. |
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02-22-2018, 11:03 PM | #55 |
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Judging by the overall tone of his post, my post isn't that much of a reach.
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02-23-2018, 12:38 AM | #56 |
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Not really. When I visited the Munich plant a few years ago, I personally saw production line workers indulging with a glass of beer at lunch. There was a free beer dispensing machine in the cafeteria.
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02-23-2018, 06:22 AM | #57 | |
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02-23-2018, 06:31 AM | #58 |
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SA cars were great quality. Have had tons of customers with them and they were literally more reliable haha. When VW made the switch to Mexico plants. Terrible quality came with. Same will happen with the 3 series.
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02-23-2018, 07:02 AM | #59 | |
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When i worked for a supplier, we had components that only shipped to american plants. Then we had satellite locations in other countries that made components for the same vehicle but manufactured in other markets. China is a big one, because with their Patent laws if you don't have a manufacturing site in their country, they can (and will) copy your designs with no recourse. Plus it's easier to have a separate plant that makes RHD/ROW compliant vehicles rather than having one plant that switches back and forth between designs. |
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02-23-2018, 07:25 AM | #60 |
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My first BMW, a 2005 E46 328i, was a South Africa-build. It was great - green with tan leather. Had some issues, but my Canadian-made Honda Civic had issues too!
Not a single issue was due to build quality. I would have zero issues picking up a SA build model. |
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02-23-2018, 07:40 AM | #61 |
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Only one reason BMW has decided to produce 3 series in Mexico... profits. Anyone who believes otherwise (like to empower poor communities) is delusional.
Pay the poor peanuts to make cars for the rich. Common trend these days! |
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02-23-2018, 08:10 AM | #62 |
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The workmanship coming from Mexico promaster and 200 have been horrible. Hopefully bmw will have super strict QC to make sure the new g body 3 series doesn't become utter crap.
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02-23-2018, 08:57 AM | #63 | |
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02-23-2018, 09:05 AM | #64 | |
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When I approached the dealer about the paint run he said they could fix it, but advised not to because the baking process would age the interior plastics. He was right. A year later I had the car repainted because of hail damage and the interior plastics took a beating. It was a fun car.
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02-23-2018, 09:13 AM | #65 |
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02-23-2018, 09:34 AM | #66 | ||
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