zero4588,

Just a couple of comments regarding engines and other components being built abroad. Most German Auto manufacturers outsource many of their components including Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. 80% of the Porsche Boxster is outsourced and I'm pretty sure that includes the engine. BMW's are made in South Africa and US for the most part. I don't think quality has anything to do with location of manufacture, Toyota's and Hondas are both built in the US and neither show the quality issues that the German Manufacturers are displaying.

IMO German manufacturers are troubled in two areas. They're trying to introduce too many new gadgets to stay ahead of the Japanese and they aren't spending enough time testing in the real world. They're also adding these gadgets at the expense of materials of construction to keep overall product cost down. Remember as technology ages it becomes less expensive and reliable , thats why the Japanese follow along 2 - 3 years later and offer the same gadgets reliably at a lower cost......nothing new here.

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Afshin

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