Korean manufacturers are following the Japanese arc of the last century. The first decade or so are cheap, low quality, disposable copies of American designs. Remember early gen electronics, Toyota, Kubota.

Think about the 1990's Hyundai. POS.

Hyundais are now a pretty darned good auto. Quality is way, way up. Beginning to design their own innovations.

As I understand it, LS got its start making parts in Korea to be assembled under the small tractor New Holland label.

I failed to mention that I did have one failure in the LS the first year. A cast part broke (in my second month of ownership) where the tie rod attaches to the wheel hub. Don't know the part name. I took the part to the local dealer and it turned out LS acknowledged a design flaw. Replaced the part on both hubs at no cost. About 10 working days down-time. That bought them some good feelings from me.