made in vietnam
- Thread starter brownbagg
- Start date
I remember an interview of a top Mercedes executive when it became know that they were having things like power steering pumps, AC compressors, etc. made in Viet Nam.
The questions were basically “What about the famous German craftsmanship?”
The reply was “We send German quality control inspectors.”
The questions were basically “What about the famous German craftsmanship?”
The reply was “We send German quality control inspectors.”
Wiha has a plant in Vietnam as well.
Not had access to any, so I've no idea as to how good they are/aren't, but they are cheaper than Wiha's German made products (at least here in the US).
If anyone is interested, take a look at wihatools.com, and check out the pricing and pics.
Not had access to any, so I've no idea as to how good they are/aren't, but they are cheaper than Wiha's German made products (at least here in the US).
If anyone is interested, take a look at wihatools.com, and check out the pricing and pics.
KPSquared
Well-known member
If there's one thing I've learned from Garage Journal it's that IF ITS NOT MADE IN THE US OF A ITS COMPLETE AND UDDER WORTHLESS ****.
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
Good thing I don't believe everything I read. . .
:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
Good thing I don't believe everything I read. . .
nehog
Well-known member
Mercedes has been making their cars in Thailand for many, many years. They have plants and factories worldwide...
Leftover steel from jeep, jets, helicopters, and tanks.
It makes me wonder if Germans look at BMWs made in the US as being inferior because they weren't made in Germany.
Turn&Burn
Banned
Yes. Same for the Japanese and cars produced anywhere but Japan. Sound familiar?
SMKS
Well-known member
Your statement is sort of an oversimplification probably based on posts by a handful of members. One of the biggest offenders was recently given a temp ban and now doesn't post anymore.
Many members here have a preference for USA made goods or first-world-made goods, but many also acknowledge the good quality imported tools, Gearwrench and Kobalt being a main example. The HF 44" box is another example.
You'll find a few trolls trotting out the same old line again and again on almost every forum.
Last edited:
I actually met one of those German quality control inspectors. My niece was dating a guy, whose dad brought the entire family over because of his work.
He was responsible for QA of some internal boards that were being made here in an Atlanta suburb (not for Mercedes).
He and his wife were both over 6' tall, and when they showed up at a party in a Smart Car, it was... comical. He knew his stuff, and started taking the Smart Car apart in front of us, showing off its "modular" design. All it did was add to the car's "toy" feel though.
Jagmandave
Well-known member
I seriously doubt that steel we left in country 40 to 50 years ago is just now being used to make tools and such in 'Nam.....
However, you do have to watch what you buy, no matter where it's made.
The next big wave of imported stuff will be coming from Africa.....watch for it...
However, you do have to watch what you buy, no matter where it's made.
The next big wave of imported stuff will be coming from Africa.....watch for it...
Higgins
Well-known member
IMHO I don't think most of the group feel that if it's not made in the USA, the item is junk!
I purchase tools and products that are made globally, and have few problems with them. However, there is a common thread when it comes to items made in China. Especially electrical motors, and heating elements as of late. As there are several recalls out due to fire related issues.
My last radiator pliers were made in France. Well made, price was typical @ $27, and expect them to last a long time!
I purchase tools and products that are made globally, and have few problems with them. However, there is a common thread when it comes to items made in China. Especially electrical motors, and heating elements as of late. As there are several recalls out due to fire related issues.
My last radiator pliers were made in France. Well made, price was typical @ $27, and expect them to last a long time!
larry4406
Well-known member
It's a generation thing. I remember when anything stamped "Made in Japan" was automatically suspect. As countries improve so does quality.
No flame suit please.
No flame suit please.
Openboater
Well-known member
I prefer to buy made in USA to support jobs here in this country (workers vs. suits, mind you). But I don't for a second think good quality products can't be made elsewhere. If an item is junk, more often than not it looks it... t
I did not expect anybody would take that seriously........
Malaysia is next in line for cheap hardware.
wrench
Well-known member
A friend of mine bought a pair of firestone bias ply tires for his 33 Ford pickup.You guessed it "Made In Viet Nam".I thought they made sandals out of all their tires.
Conductor562
Well-known member
Made in vietnam will never be good enough or cheap enough for me.
My Uncles would disown me if they ever walked in my garage and found something stamped "Made in Vietnam". I can't even imagine the tapestry of obscenities and racial slurs that would follow.Firestone used to have one of their biggest rubber plantations there.
Just for a bit of history, have a couple of unused lengths of cast iron bell & spigot DWV pipe marked "Made in Occupied Japapn*" For those who don't know, those fittings were packed w/ oakum & then lead was poured into the joints.
*Not a typo on my part.
I prefer made in USA products but as long as they are not ChiCom made, don't get real pushed out of shape, I get real cranky about ChiCom ****.
nehog
Well-known member
We need a -1 emoticon...
As a Viet Nam vet, I can absolutely state that I'd be glad to have stuff made in Viet Nam. If we hold on to our hate and build it what we end with is just more hate.
Instead of bashing Viet Nam, consider taking a trip there. Many of the Viet Nam vets go back to see what it is like. What seems to surprise them is that there is no hate of Americans or the vets, they are welcomed and accepted.
Let the past die, holding on won't help you, (your uncles) or anyone else. It is just this attitude that has done massive damage to America's foreign policy over the years.
Modifieddriver
Well-known member
Conductor562
Well-known member
Good for you. I mean that too, I'm not being a smart ***. Finding peace with the past is great, much better than living with it's demons, but I guess some just can't. I wasn't there, wasn't even born until nearly a decade after Saigon fell, so I'm in no position to tell anyone how to feel or not to feel. As for their manufacturing business, I'm still trying to not feel ashamed when using a Taiwan made tool, I can't handle all this global market stuff at once. Baby steps man, baby steps.
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
When I was a kid the cheap plastic toys all came from Japan. We called it "Jap ****"! Of course today I realize that is a bit racial, though I know I didn't mean it that way at the time.
Point is, all countries go through this process of building up an industrial base with easy to produce crappy products, then improving quality and becoming a player with real quality. Along the way the cheap labor becomes skilled labor, quality of life, wages and conditions improve. It is a normal cycle.
Jim
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
Falcon67
Well-known member
Lots of people won't care, or figure that out. We have some students from Malaysia - smart young ladies as a matter of fact. One of the regular US freshman asked them where Malaysia was in Texas.
I told her to tell 'em it's near Madagascar, down by Corpus Christi
KPSquared
Well-known member
Tell them to stop being so ignorant. Its 2012.
denis4x4
Well-known member
Bought a pair of 10 drawer roll around bases at Home Depot with bamboo tops made in Viet Nam. Quite frankly, it was well made and priced right. Didn't notice the country of origin until I got home.
sammon287
Active member
Nothing wrong with buying stuff made in Vietnam if the quality is good. You won't be adding to the war chest used to run a government office tasked with hacking and stealing from American companies (China), or helping to fund development of weapons whose sole purpose is to sink American aircraft carriers (China). Just search DF-21D. I don't think Vietnam is preparing for a war with us.
KPSquared
Well-known member
Alrighty then. So you don't buy anything made in Germany, Italy, or Japan then either?
You do realize that if you forget your history, then it'll never repeat itself right? Or something like that.
Completely Unrelated Story:
Buddy of mine (stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas) was driving through Mississippi a couple years ago in his Jeep, dressed in his BDUs. Stopped off at a middle-of-nowhere gas station but was told they'd "run out." He's pretty sure they didn't want his business because he was traveling with a couple of fellow soldiers who happened to be black, I mean Vietnamese, I mean Italian... wait who are we supposed to not do business with again? Can we have a sticky?
Conductor562
Well-known member
Yea, I'll probably tell a guy who lost his hearing in 1 ear, received 2 purple hearts, and watched several of his buddies die, how he should fell about the Vietnamese. I'm not saying he's right or wrong, but it sure as hell isn't my place to tell him anything.