Cool :D
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/audi-plans-to-build-us-manufacturing-plant-2011-07-10?reflink=MW_news_stmp (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/audi-plans-to-build-us-manufacturing-plant-2011-07-10?reflink=MW_news_stmp)
Great.
There goes their legendary "build quality." >:(
man, I wish manufacturers would stop doing this. global cars suck.
I will never buy an American made "import" car new, doesn't matter if it's BMW, AUDI or Toyota.
There's something about having your German car made in Germany or Italian bike made in Italy that is just awesome. I don't want a Thailand produced British bike. I don't want an American made German car.
and yes I know parts are sourced around the world... but Ohlins are made in Sweden, Showa made in Japan... I know what they are and where they are made. I don't want a manufacturer pulling a fast one on me. AND PLEASE don't tell me Ohlins are Chinese made or I'll [puke]
Quote from: Buckethead on July 19, 2011, 09:44:35 AM
Great.
There goes their legendary "build quality." >:(
Remains to be seen. Manufacturing money coming here is a good thing.
They already have a reliable formula for building nice cars there. They likely will implement it here as well. The potential to still have a nice product is quite high.
It's not like they're having Dodge building their transmissions :P
Quote from: Monsterlover on July 19, 2011, 10:23:32 AM
They already have a reliable formula for building nice cars there. They likely will implement it here as well. The potential to still have a nice product is quite high.
Toyota had this issue... you knew which Corollas would have certain problems... all of them US built. Same car, supposedly same manufacturing methods... one made in the US, the other in Japan.
Pretty much firmed it up for me. It's a shame, I want to support the U.S. manufacturers, but until they build American cars like a Lexus or BMW... no thanks. And no building a BMW in the US doesn't count in my book.
Thing about it is, the wife and I talked about the future SUV and AUDI was top of our list... guess I need to check VINs now.
Quote from: Raux on July 19, 2011, 10:37:34 AM
Same car, supposedly same manufacturing methods... one made in the US, the other in Japan.
What was the difference?
Sounds like the mfg methods were
not the same. . .
From Consumer Reports, updated April 2011 (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/cr-recommended/best-worst-in-car-reliability/reliability-findings/reliability-findings.htm)
Europe's bumpy road
"BMW had a bad year, with five of 11 models now scoring below average. Although the BMW M3 topped the sporty cars category, the 1, 3, and 5 Series models with the 3.0-liter, turbocharged engine had high problem rates related to the fuel system, among other issues.
Mercedes-Benz had the least reliable vehicles in three categories. Six of its 13 models were below average, and the GLK SUV was far below average this year. The redesigned E350 sedan was above average, but the new E-Class coupe, a wholly different car, was a disappointment.
Almost three-quarters of the Audi models we analyzed were below average. Volkswagen did better, with its Golf (formerly Rabbit) doing very well and the various Jetta models doing average or better."
While it might take away some of the cachet of having a "German" car, I don't think it's going to decrease their reliability. They do a good enough job of that on their own.
Quote from: Buckethead on July 19, 2011, 09:44:35 AM
There goes their legendary "build quality." >:(
We're talking Audi, right?
I've always heard you either get a good one or a shit on...toss a coin.
Quote from: Triple J on July 19, 2011, 10:50:48 AM
We're talking Audi, right?
I've always heard you either get a good one or a shit on...toss a coin.
Which was my sarcastic assertion. ;)
I have a 3series for more than year, nearly 30k miles... not a single issue. rock solid. i had a 'highly' rated Acura.. crappy transmission crapped out on me. Parents have a Merc.. yeah not what they are cracked up to be.
one of the best cars i've seen in person.. Lexus, more than 200k miles and still running great. normal wear and tear, but no transmission or motor issues.. interior still very solid and no seat tears, etc.
I had a 92 BMW 728... had a head gasket needed replacing, but other than that... solid car still at more than 200k km and 11+ years when I gave it to family.
Quote from: Buckethead on July 19, 2011, 10:51:57 AM
Which was my sarcastic assertion. ;)
Gotcha...I missed the quotes. :P
Quote from: Monsterlover on July 19, 2011, 10:43:37 AM
What was the difference?
Sounds like the mfg methods were not the same. . .
The differences are more cultural and less technical. The toyota production system (LEAN, six sigma etc.) is more psychological and cultural than it is about technical effeciencies. Japanese in general think in more collective terms and have no problem following processes to the letter whereas in the US independence is key to just about everything we do. German manufacturing techniques are different than those used in Japan and work really well for their culture and mindset. It doesn't hurt that the laborers and builders in Germany are the second highest paid in the world.
US manufacturers thought they could force employees to follow a system like TPS and it doesn't work. With tweaks and a recognition that culture plays a huge part there are systems that work exceptionally well. Look at the quality of Canadian made lexus' as one example.
I bet its built in a right to work state
My state isn't. Unions here royally screwed things up and a lot of people are out of work because of them.
Quote from: Vindingo on July 19, 2011, 03:13:37 PM
I bet its built in a right to work state
Not doing so would be the equivalent of subjecting oneself to forced anal rape.
Quote from: Raux on July 19, 2011, 10:37:34 AM
Toyota had this issue... you knew which Corollas would have certain problems... all of them US built. Same car, supposedly same manufacturing methods... one made in the US, the other in Japan.
Were those the ones coming out of the now closed Fremont, Ca factory? I wonder if the factory down in Texas has similar issues. I bet it doesn't.
I understand your sentiment for wanting a German car to be made in Germany, but I personally would learn to live with it if it created jobs here.
Quote from: Vindingo on July 19, 2011, 06:02:59 PM
Were those the ones coming out of the now closed Fremont, Ca factory? I wonder if the factory down in Texas has similar issues. I bet it doesn't.
I understand your sentiment for wanting a German car to be made in Germany, but I personally would learn to live with it if it created jobs here.
That was sort of the reason I posted this.
job creation is a great thing!
I have seen it go both ways.
We bought a 2011 Kia Sorento -- they are made in Georgia. The build quality is excellent. Given Kia/Hyundai's history as an "economy" car company, they hit a homerun on the design and we've had zero issue with the vehicle. Everything I've read says they are good across the board.
It really depends on the factory and how much they put into training and "carrot and stick" policies.
Give them a guaranteed wage and a salary if they are laid off and you can bet it will be shit.
Quote from: ducatiz on July 19, 2011, 08:55:18 PM
It really depends on the factory and how much they put into training and "carrot and stick" policies.
^^^ This.
Quote from: Monsterlover on July 19, 2011, 03:28:11 PM
My state isn't. Unions here royally screwed things up and a lot of people are out of work because of them.
+1
Ruh-roh.
Looks like the new Audi plant may head south of the border...
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/audi-on-second-thought-wed-prefer-a-plant-in-mexico/ (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/audi-on-second-thought-wed-prefer-a-plant-in-mexico/)
VW has had factories in Puebla since the 70s. They already have a base there
Quote from: Randimus Maximus on July 21, 2011, 02:44:39 PM
Ruh-roh.
Looks like the new Audi plant may head south of the border...
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/audi-on-second-thought-wed-prefer-a-plant-in-mexico/ (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/07/audi-on-second-thought-wed-prefer-a-plant-in-mexico/)
they probably read this thread...
Quote from: ducatiz on July 21, 2011, 03:09:51 PM
VW has had factories in Puebla since the 70s. They already have a base there
That's true.
However, with the new VW plant in Chattanooga, you'd think some of those suppliers would/could/should feed an Audi plant as well.
My wife just bought a new Sonata Turbo, built in Alabama, and it's a big pile of shit. (Google "Sonata left pull") It has had 7 wheel alignments, 2 road force balances of the tires, and 3 struts replaced just to get the car to drive straight. It's mostly fixed, but still not right. It's also had the gauge cluster replaced, and a wastegate actuator replaced...all of this was done in the first 2 months of ownership. [thumbsdown]
Quote from: mojo on July 23, 2011, 05:10:49 PM
My wife just bought a new Sonata Turbo, built in Alabama, and it's a big pile of shit. (Google "Sonata left pull") It has had 7 wheel alignments, 2 road force balances of the tires, and 3 struts replaced just to get the car to drive straight. It's mostly fixed, but still not right. It's also had the gauge cluster replaced, and a wastegate actuator replaced...all of this was done in the first 2 months of ownership. [thumbsdown]
Replace the tires with a different brand. The problem is the Hankook tires on the Sonata and the Optima. Google Hankook left pull or radial steer. Plenty of complaints on cars outfitted with them.
Quote from: mojo on July 23, 2011, 05:10:49 PM
My wife just bought a new Sonata Turbo, built in Alabama, and it's a big pile of shit. (Google "Sonata left pull") It has had 7 wheel alignments, 2 road force balances of the tires, and 3 struts replaced just to get the car to drive straight. It's mostly fixed, but still not right. It's also had the gauge cluster replaced, and a wastegate actuator replaced...all of this was done in the first 2 months of ownership. [thumbsdown]
In most states that would qualify for a repurchase under Lemon Law.
If I were in your spot I'd go that route.
QuoteReplace the tires with a different brand. The problem is the Hankook tires on the Sonata and the Optima. Google Hankook left pull or radial steer. Plenty of complaints on cars outfitted with them.
Our car doesn't have the steady left pull that a lot of the other Hyundai's have. It's more like the car drives just fine, then all of a sudden, you feel a strong pull to the left for a second, then it drives straight again. It does this on all roads, different crowns on the road, it doesn't matter. IMO, it's a problem with the electric steering assist. Every mechanic I've talked to and every mechanic that's worked on the car thinks it is too... Everyone, except for the Hyundai engineer that keeps thinking that a "magic strut" is going to fix it.
QuoteIn most states that would qualify for a repurchase under Lemon Law.
If I were in your spot I'd go that route.
Believe me, we've thought about it. There are a lot of people who have gone that route with the same problem, only to get denied. There are only a few who have won the case, and either gotten a new car, or a refund.