<VV> Chinese Auto Parts

[Jeffrey B. Aronson]

Good points all - you've made me think [visions of steam rising and 
light bulbs popping].

We confront similar quality issues in the British car world, too, but I 
submit that we as consumers are a part of the problem - as well as a 
part of the solution. Advance and the other FLAPS hope to build repeat 
business, and they'll not do so if too many of their parts, wherever 
they are manufactured, come back as defective. But why are they looking 
to keep prices low? Time for we enthusiasts to look in the mirror.

It's the classic line from Pogo - "we have met the enemy and he is us."

One choice that we can all make is to insist on buying higher quality 
products, regardless of where they're made. WE are the quality control. 
I don't go to FLAPS for Corvair, Land Rover or Triumph parts because I 
don't expect to purchase quality at lowball prices. And I use my cars as 
daily drivers. If I'm forced to go, I choose the highest quality line I 
can find.

I will often find that prices are higher for the higher quality, but 
then, they are warranty items and  high quality resellers  stand  behind 
their products.  GM and VW, among others, have joint venture deals with 
Chinese auto firms and parts suppliers. China is one of the few 
expanding auto markets, so everything produced there can't be crap.

When consumers for auto parts shop on price alone,  low wage  
manufacturing countries will do pretty well in the international 
marketplace. If we enthusiasts buy from our specialty vendors on price 
alone, guess what - they'll look for their lowest prices and likely 
reduce quality.

I'm as guilty as anyone. I ordered the aluminum contact distributor cap 
from Clarks for my last tuneup; I was feeling pinched and argued it was 
worth the savings. When I opened up the box during the tuneup and looked 
at it, and compared it to the brass contact cap I had bought from 
Clark's the year before, I left the brass one in place and kept this new 
one as an emergency. I won't make those sorts of mistakes again - I hope!