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built to last Posted by Snowmobile [Email] ![]() ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Re: The Chinese have this strategy also..., Justin VanAbrahams ![]() |
That is absolutely true: the emphasis is on features. I think a lot of this came with increased interest in leasing in the 1990's... however this has really played into the hands of the Asian manufacturers, as they are very keen to up the feature content, and it is not hard to do so on a car that is simpler/cheaper under the hood... the stuff that people touch and feel matters more than what they can't!
But aside from cars, some manufacturers do still build stuff that lasts. A Miele dishwasher (or other appliance) costs a ruddy fortune up front, but they are built to last (like the Mercedes of old), and to be repaired almost indefinitely... though the parts are only available through Miele repair staff, it is still worth it to fix a 20 year old Miele than to buy a new [X], and the level of service is outstanding... Almost everything is made in Germany and tightly controlled. It is akin to some of the high end audio manufacturers (normal mass market Sony gear was never really that well built compared to the high end manufacturers, though it did last pretty well anyway). When you drop $20k on an amplifier that doesn't even have a volume control... well, it had better be built like a tank with a company that offers great support if something does go wrong!
I think at some point people will get tired of feature-itis and want more things that are built to last. At some point, we kind of have enough stuff and technology matures... but cars are at a huge turning point right now! I'm sitting on the ones we've got until the shift happens more and it stabilizes a little.
Anyway, I think Hyundai/KIA have a great business strategy from the perspective of making a crap load of $$. I think it is philosophically backwards, but I don't think they, or most people, care about that!
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