Mercedes to make parts in Thailand - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JCE · #1 06-12-2002, 06:39 PM

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/13Jun2002_biz71.html

Mercedes Benz will be increasing the local content of Thai built MBs (C, E, and S class) to 40% from the current 23%. They plan to eventually ship parts to MB factories around the world, and possibly export Thai built MBs throughout ASEAN economic countries and maybe beyond. One of the issues MB Germany is addressing is the need to convey quality standards issues to local factories.

mushedroom · #2 06-12-2002, 06:50 PM

well there goes the neighborhood

so much for buying a german car and actually getting a GERMAN car...ugh

Kuan · #3 06-12-2002, 07:19 PM

Well, they make them in Alabama so why not Thailand? Germans are catching on. Henckels used to be great knives until they started making them in Brazil and other places. Wusthof Trident knives remain one of the last great examples of German quality.

Kuan

#4 06-12-2002, 07:21 PM

Quote:

well there goes the neighborhood

Just to let you know, the vaunted BMW Z3 is built in South Carolina, and the M-Class is too, if I'm not mistaken.

Also, many smaller-engined Bimmers for sale in the European market (316i, 318i, etc) are built in SOUTH AFRICA, of all places.

-Sam

rickg · #5 06-12-2002, 08:18 PM

Like all those "Buy American" fanatics. Ain't nuthin "American" no more.

JCE · #6 06-12-2002, 09:14 PM

Not trying to be derogatory by posting this story. (One of my sisters-in-law is Thai, a bright lady and a nice person!) I just thought it an interesting example of globalization. Toyota, Nissan, Ford and GM are already in Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, etc. If they can get the same quality or better for a lower price, They will do it. That was one of the key issues with the Ford strike a few years back. The union agreed to not fight Ford in 2005 as it bought more parts from other countries if Ford agreed to a wage increase and to not do some automation until later.

Ashman · #7 06-12-2002, 10:05 PM

Sam,

Whats wrong with them being made in South Africa?

I was born in South Africa. Just curious to know what is wrong with it besides the politics and oppression people suffered?

Alon

Ken300D · #8 06-12-2002, 10:10 PM

Do we really consider the M-Class Mercedes to be their peak of quality and reliabiliity?

Ken300D

#9 06-13-2002, 04:55 AM

I never said South African BMWs were anything horrid. Hey, I'd rather have a South African BMW built for discerning European tastes than an American-built BMW.

Furthermore, there has been no proof (in European motoring publications or otherwise) that South African BMWs suffer from any quality problems, whatsoever.

-Sam

mushedroom · #10 06-13-2002, 12:37 PM

hey guys...
here's the reply to answer what's wrong with mex, american, south african, brazilian, martian made benz's.....

IF THEY'RE MADE IN PLACES OTHER THAN GERMANY...WHY THE HELL DO WE HAVE TO PAY THE GERMAN PREMIUM?????

if a s500 is made in any country other than germany, shouldn't we pay for it accordingly?
instead of 80,000 shouldn't it be more like 50,000?

i understand and am fine with paying the high price for a car that is made where it is said it is made but really ...
i first of all would never own a bmw....but secondly...if i was buying the "toaster" on wheels X5 or the soon to be release X3....shouldn't those cars be priced closer to the price of a suped up Explorer or Envoy or Tahoe?

nothing to do with the country's reputations as car makers...

don't you guys agree?

we should all revolt...

demand better pricing...
these daimler and chrysler financial tyrannts are lining their bank accounts big time!!!!

#11 06-13-2002, 12:49 PM

It's not all where the car is built some it is where the car is is developed.
BTW
In South Africa the w126 ran for a longer production than it did in Germany so it can't be that bad.

#12 06-13-2002, 04:48 PM

It is not where the car is built... as long as the quality is maintained. I've owned VW Beetles built in Mexico and Germany. I could not tell the difference in quality or reliability.

My main beef is the same as 'mushedroom'. ALL manufacturers are looking for cheaper labor / manufacturing costs, whether they are making toasters, cars, or widgets. They reduce manufacturing costs for the company AND jack up the prices a few % to pad the stock prices and line the pockets of the executives.

The company I work for just recently transferred about 60% of the U.S. work to Canada in order to save a few bucks an hour. The main products are already made in Tiawan, Mexico, Korea, Canada, and India... Nothing is made in the U.S. anymore... that's not the way it was ten years ago..... Back then EVERYTHING was made and supported right here in the good 'ol USA.

If it keeps going the way it is right now... I'll have to move to Canada or Korea to keep my job! Way to go NAFTA!

Sorry for the tangent... but it does seem that every company in the world is looking to make a $.01 profit at the expense of their base, local workers.... the ones that made the company great in the first place! I'm sure the Germans that were making those cars and parts are missing their jobs right about now....

mushedroom · #13 06-13-2002, 05:12 PM

hey william,

move to Korea...!!!
good food, nice people, more money to be made..you can hang with my cousins!!!!

woo hooo

mushedroom · #14 06-13-2002, 05:14 PM

i'm just thankful that my 300CE is made in the motherland of MBZ...
woo hoo...
how do you guys like my soon-to-be grill...
OH AND GET THIS...
all grill pieces are german made...and the glue and paint that i will use, i'll be sure to check, will all be made in the good ole US of A...dammit!!!!!

(glue for strip ends and paint for matte blacking out of my grill insert....)

Lou Nielsen · #15 06-13-2002, 05:27 PM

MB models for many parts of the world are not manufactured in Germany. For example, 129's for all of Latin and S. American countries were manufactured in Mexico. This is done more for taxation reasons and to a lesser reason for labor rates.

More correctly, assembled in Mexico. Major components were built in Germany. Foundry, stamping operations, engine assembly, etc.