There has been talk for years of Asian cars being more US than the US Name plates.. All started with Toyota and Honda building cars here, etc. Nissan builds cars here, Hyundai now builds cars here, VW builds cars in Mexico (not sure if they have any plants in the US) and I'm sure I am missing others.
Anyway, I am the service manger at a Nissan dealer. Our sister store is a GMC Buick store. I see GM parts all day long come in, and it seems like more, and more, and more are all made in China. Stampings seem to come mainly from Canada. With out getting into too much detail, quickly I can state this.
Altima, Maxima, Titan, Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra are all built in the US, however the engines and transmissions are built in Japan. No biggie. I'd prefer a Japanese engine, in my honest opinion, Japans quality these days has an advantage in which the US used to hold.
Anwy, these vehicles come with a plethora of parts from Japan, Mexcio, USA, and a few from China. But no where nearly as many as the GM vehicles that they are producing.
I own a Mitusbishi Eclipse, built in a UAW plant in Il. Engine is Japan Mitsu, Trans is Japan Aisin. I have not found one China part on it. In fact, just about every part I've looked at is US made. I purchased these OEM parts :
Front Hub Assy. $179.23
Outer Tie Rod End $41.43
Inner Tie Rod End $40.58
Bushings
Struts FR $101.06 RR $102.82
and I'm sure some others.
Fact is, they were all USA Parts, and what I don't understand is how all we here is that US manufacturing can not compete with overseas cost. However, if you look at the cost of these parts, they are EXTREMELY competiive with over parts. Now, I can pick up things like cheap,cheap, tie rods for $10, or Hubs for $50 but most common part store parts are not much difference than the list price on these USA Oem parts.
Those are OEM List price. We get are Mitsu parts at 25% off list, which makes them even more affordable. But this makes be question all the hype that we as a Country can not produce a high quality part at a competitive price. Look at those prices, then go look at Moog or Napa chassis/steering parts, and Monroe or KYB Struts, and a SKF or National or something along those lines. Prices are very similar, and even more so now, those premium aftermarket parts are most likely imported from another country. Last Moog part I purchased, because from the picture on the Moog site, it showed a nice moog boot, grease fitting, etc. What showed up was a repackaged Central Corp (CTR) Korean non-greasable tie rod end with a $48 list price.
Come on people. Why is it so difficult to work with US vendors to build a high quality part at a decent price?
now, to defend China a little bit, I have to admit, I am pretty impressed that I can purchase a sealed front wheelbearing/hub assy with ABS speed sensor built in from one of my secret vendors for $20 each when an OEM part is $300. I don't understand how they can cast+machine+add components+boat a part like that to the US for so little money. Think about it, if I purchase these hub assys for $20 from my vendor, he has to make a couple bucks from selling it to me, and the original distributor has to make a couple bucks, and then finally the manufacturer over there in China has to make a couple bucks. How is this possible? Does it really only cost about $1 to make such a part?
I don't know.. just losing faith in our country...sorry guys..
Anyway, I am the service manger at a Nissan dealer. Our sister store is a GMC Buick store. I see GM parts all day long come in, and it seems like more, and more, and more are all made in China. Stampings seem to come mainly from Canada. With out getting into too much detail, quickly I can state this.
Altima, Maxima, Titan, Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra are all built in the US, however the engines and transmissions are built in Japan. No biggie. I'd prefer a Japanese engine, in my honest opinion, Japans quality these days has an advantage in which the US used to hold.
Anwy, these vehicles come with a plethora of parts from Japan, Mexcio, USA, and a few from China. But no where nearly as many as the GM vehicles that they are producing.
I own a Mitusbishi Eclipse, built in a UAW plant in Il. Engine is Japan Mitsu, Trans is Japan Aisin. I have not found one China part on it. In fact, just about every part I've looked at is US made. I purchased these OEM parts :
Front Hub Assy. $179.23
Outer Tie Rod End $41.43
Inner Tie Rod End $40.58
Bushings
Struts FR $101.06 RR $102.82
and I'm sure some others.
Fact is, they were all USA Parts, and what I don't understand is how all we here is that US manufacturing can not compete with overseas cost. However, if you look at the cost of these parts, they are EXTREMELY competiive with over parts. Now, I can pick up things like cheap,cheap, tie rods for $10, or Hubs for $50 but most common part store parts are not much difference than the list price on these USA Oem parts.
Those are OEM List price. We get are Mitsu parts at 25% off list, which makes them even more affordable. But this makes be question all the hype that we as a Country can not produce a high quality part at a competitive price. Look at those prices, then go look at Moog or Napa chassis/steering parts, and Monroe or KYB Struts, and a SKF or National or something along those lines. Prices are very similar, and even more so now, those premium aftermarket parts are most likely imported from another country. Last Moog part I purchased, because from the picture on the Moog site, it showed a nice moog boot, grease fitting, etc. What showed up was a repackaged Central Corp (CTR) Korean non-greasable tie rod end with a $48 list price.
Come on people. Why is it so difficult to work with US vendors to build a high quality part at a decent price?
now, to defend China a little bit, I have to admit, I am pretty impressed that I can purchase a sealed front wheelbearing/hub assy with ABS speed sensor built in from one of my secret vendors for $20 each when an OEM part is $300. I don't understand how they can cast+machine+add components+boat a part like that to the US for so little money. Think about it, if I purchase these hub assys for $20 from my vendor, he has to make a couple bucks from selling it to me, and the original distributor has to make a couple bucks, and then finally the manufacturer over there in China has to make a couple bucks. How is this possible? Does it really only cost about $1 to make such a part?
I don't know.. just losing faith in our country...sorry guys..
