Not to minimize this safety concern and yes, there is a lot of Chinese crap out there, but I get a little suspicious when the CEO of this organization starts trashing specific brands and recommending other specific brands.
These columns are cheap and nasty knock-offs of reputable aftermarket brands, made in China and built entirely on price” LVVTA CEO Tony Johnson says. “Although they look great on the outside, it would seem that whoever has designed this rubbish neither understands automotive engineering nor gives a toss about people’s lives.”
Credible, public safety agency heads just don't talk like that. Just seems a little too biased for me. But I could be wrong.
-- Edited by Beachcat on Monday 6th of May 2013 03:11:30 PM
The companys complaining about the substandard junk should look no further than themselves to blame. Its the domestic companys who send our jobs to china to increase profits. What is left to buy after the factories are all gone?
Good info to be aware of Chuck, thanks for posting this.
Reminds of a few years back couple of guys bought off shore rotors for their "Street Stocks", ( 350 powered stock cars,)about 2-5 laps and the centers broke out of them. Fortunately no one got hurt, or totalled their car against the wall, Or anyone elses car. Both broke out in practice.
Probably not the most popular thing to say, but when we were kids, stuff made in Japan was considered junk too....Now, they make some of the best high tech stuff there is.....I have a feeling, like it or not, China is traveling down the same road.
I agree with ya Harry, from what i,m reading different places, China is getting a LOT of competition from Both Taiwan, and India, and who knows who else will get on the bandwagon.
One thing they are producing and shipping here that is actually pretty decent is machining tooling, great fits and the finish is as good as anything produced here before or in the USA.
Some of the blame for us getting garbage i'm sure has to be placed on the importers here, they keep wanting CHEAPER and CHEAPER products to undercut their competition here.
The importers here are the ones responsible for quality products they bring in , then there's i,m sure the guys who just want it cheaper period.
Seams to me the people paying to have this stuff made are the problem not the people who make it.I am sure that these products are ordered to sertan standerds and price and the Chinese manufactures just make what they are told to .If you quit buying crap they will soon stop making and importing crap. Ed
All I can say is, I'm glad I didn't see "Ididit" in there, because that's the tilt steering column I bought. Then again, how would've I have known whether or not it was made in China or not, there's no telling anymore, most parts and sub-assemblies could be made there, but final assembly in North America, it's all in the way manufacturers present there products.
I wouldn't blame it all on China either, the companies that are selling you these sub-standard products are the ones accepting and buying that product, to sell to you. China has the technology and the capability of building good quality stuff, but if the buyer is willing to accept a lower quality/cheaper product, they are masters at that.
Anyone who has had any dealings with China knows that you never have all the parts made in one place or they will be your compatition tomorow. Probly a knock off of one of the major brands that had the column made there and they just inserted there own insides.life is still cheap in china and safety is nonexistant . Good luck trying to hold anyone accountable other then who ever is selling them over here but with no way of identifying it try to prove who sold it to you.Iv seen some real crap ones at a few swap meets. Think Id rather buy socks made in a sweat shop in India
