No flak from here, but a different perspective. Yes, I agree that top quality cost, and you have to make decissions. My problem is that corners are cut where they shouldn't. Many examples. Then long term quality suffers and recalls eat your profits.
One example might be the transmission on the previous generation of Ford Tuarus. They put in $1 valaves instead of $2 valves. The trans were notorius for puking out at around 70K to 80K miles.
Tom