Built in America, foreign cars - Page 2

warot · **Re: Built in America, foreign cars -** 01-29-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

I wouldn't say that the ML/GL/R are that bad, they're at least better than the C for sure, but you're right there is noticeable difference between the material quality in the GL/ML/R compared to say the E which covers their price ranges. I guess when Mercedes said they were coming out with a Range Rover competitor I expected a S-Class level interior in the GL. Then there is the contrustion aspect of the U.S. made Benzes. They just aren't as solid, and they have more plastic and then to add final insult to injury MBUSA seems hell bent on offereing them with the smallest, ugliest standard wheels possible. It ridiculous.

M

All those things you mention, a lot of it has nothing to do with the manufacturing processes. The design, amount of plastic, wheel choices are mostly out of engineers hands. Besides, the way the cars are built and the tools used are similar in different plants.

PHYBENZ · **Re: Built in America, foreign cars -** 01-29-2007, 03:44 PM

The amount of plastic and type of plastic used does have partly to do where it is manufactured. The door panels and dash on the ML and R use a less luxurious material than any german made benzes and that's because of the US suppliers MBUSI deals with in Alabama.

The solidity of contruction I have found to actually be pretty good, at least this time around. The 1st generation ML was a different story.

Osnabrueck · **Re: Built in America, foreign cars -** 01-29-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHYBENZ

The amount of plastic and type of plastic used does have partly to do where it is manufactured. The door panels and dash on the ML and R use a less luxurious material than any german made benzes and that's because of the US suppliers MBUSI deals with in Alabama.

The solidity of contruction I have found to actually be pretty good, at least this time around. The 1st generation ML was a different story.

I have to take you to task on this Phybenz. I don't think the quality or "luxuriousness" of US-Built Mercedes' have to do with American vendors much as they have to do with profit margins and revenue goals.

There's a slew of American built Hondas, Toyotas and BMWs that keep their material quality up to par with their foreign built cousins.I would find it hard to believe that DuPont, 3M, or whoever else the industry contracts with to fabricate its plastics is unable to deliver a product equal to what's available overseas.

Merc1 · **Re: Built in America, foreign cars -** 01-29-2007, 09:53 PM

I think it is a combination of both...using U.S. suppliers and the need to save money. Using the U.S. supplier base is the way they think they can save some money, the problem in a nutshell.

M

Mr. M · **Re: Built in America, foreign cars -** 02-01-2007, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warot

I think that the E46 story was a fluke. Yes, it was built in SA, but trust me when I say this, the quality control there is as strict if not stricter than in Germany. Besides, BMW SA has plenty of engineers and other co-workers working at Rosslyn.

Yup, we discussed about this before... Ours is definitely a lemon. Still doesn't rub off the bad experience though.