Classe move to China

"Kijanki, are you listening to what we are saying or what? "

Yes, I do, but understanding you is the hard part.

The Japanese were always good at adapting to new technology and improving upon it. After Admiral Perry visited in 1854 to what was a closed society, 50 years later, they were sinking the Russian fleet in the russo-japanese war. BTW, who showed them how to make aircraft carriers and the zero fighter?

Actually, building a car is a well-known 'art'.
Building it RIGHT? Many things come into play from choice of materials....High Strength steel is a bigger player these days since you can build as strong or stronger with less weight all the way to computer simulations.

All for naught, however, without a proper manufacturing facility and trained workers. An Uncle of mine once bought a car.....American.....and it had a strange noise. Nobody could figure it out. Finally, in an unrelated repair, a COKE BOTTLE was found in a hollow space with a Ha-Ha note. That was the source of the noise.

The man who taught Japan how to make things right is ::: Deming.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Edwards_Deming

Lately, with and after the advent of ISO standards and audits, They are a Quality Managment system, they don't tell you what or how to do it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9000

and perhaps the latest Asian Import:: A system called 6S.

http://www.vitalentusa.com/learn/6s_article.php

It is vital to continue to do more with less.....improve quality and provide a safe workplace.

"How can that be? How do they compete in this global economy?"

They are GERMANS first last and always. They work together. And work and workers are respected in Germany. That's how.