Monday, October 08, 2007
Made In China
This isn't so much a bash China post, but more in the way of asking a question post. Now, as much as ever, China manufacturing seems to be taking some pretty good hits. Lead in this and antifreeze in that and stuff falling apart before its time is all over the news. It got me to wondering though if China makes anything at all of good quality.
When I was young "Made in Japan" was synonymous with junk. Remember the tale about a village in Japan renamed Usa, so they could say stuff was "Made in Usa?" Now of course, it's completely different with Lexus, Toyota and Yamaha well respected. But even back then, there was stuff in Japan with quality. Nikon has always seemed a good brand, and of course Samurai swords are mythic in their quality. And it didn't take long for Japanese electronics to rise to the top of both quality and value.
But now you have China. Is there anything that China makes that might be considered better than average, let alone desirable? Have you ever heard someone say, "ooh, that Chinese whatever sure is some good stuff!"
Now while I will admit that not everything made in China is complete junk, if given the choice of a powered drill made in Korea, Canada or China, China won't be my first choice - even if it's cheapest. On the other hand, I also know that a powered drill with a "Made in Canada" label can be built completely with parts from China as long as the labour to build it is over 50% of the value. I just wonder how long it will take before people are comparing Chinese goods of some sort (even if only one or two items) with high quality and desirability.
