Audi building a plant in the US

[Vindingo]

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. 

[Monsterlover]

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!

[ducatiz]

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.

[Speedbag]

It really depends on the factory and how much they put into training and "carrot and stick" policies.

^^^ This.

[TJR178]

My state isn't.  Unions here royally screwed things up and a lot of people are out of work because of them.

+1

[Randimus Maximus]

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/

[ducatiz]

VW has had factories in Puebla since the 70s.  They already have a base there

[Monsterlover]

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/

they probably read this thread...

[Randimus Maximus]

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.

[mojo]

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.

[ducatiz]

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.

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.

[Randimus Maximus]

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.

In most states that would qualify for a repurchase under Lemon Law.

If I were in your spot I'd go that route.

[mojo]

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.

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.

In 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.