Chinese cars make record sales in Australia

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by FTE217

though does it matter looking ahead re longivity/quality......
Cars are nothing like they once were as we all know no diff to tools/white goods etcetc.
Even the solid euros have cheapenned their product due to consumer pricing demands having to compete and covering more sectors int he volume ends where they never did before.
Made in Germany has gone left right centre in reducing costs no diff to them all so the market is coming to China regardless.
27M people here, bulk of sales is sub 100k, right in their ball game.
Throw away society.

That's an interesting point, and probably the subject of a different thread altogether, but are car manufacturers (and other goods as well) making their product with a shorter lifespan because of cost cutting or because of the turnover rate of their consumers? Conversely, have consumers changed their expectations of product life because of the manufacturing process or do they just prefer to turn things over more frequently. Which is the actual driver (no pun intended)?

As an example, what's the average useful life for a mobile phone these days? And what about a phone from 20 years ago? 40 years ago (not withstanding the difference in capabilities).

IMHO, it's consumerism that is driving this process.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by hayseed

No different to an Aussie Built Holden/Ford or IH Truck of the 60's & 70's.. They'd rust all the way through in 5-6 Yrs..

And that makes it acceptable in 2023?

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

And that makes it acceptable in 2023?

AH Bingo, a similar question or more so me not appecting the reported QC issues of the modern day Mustang.

Agreed Boss, its 2023, ok maybe the product doesn't last as it once did back in the day BUT at least bring it out to market spot on to spec, no mis alignments etcetc yet one bloke quoted thats the Norm of a Pony forever and a day, correcting error.
I answer if I'm paying sub $100k my pride and joy should be damn spot on ?! if the cheap cars under $50k can why can't my $90K for eg Mustang.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

And that makes it acceptable in 2023?

Not at All..!
But, To My Mind. The Chinese Car industry Today is in a similar position to what he Aussie one was in back Then...
Give them a few years & they'll have their act together Big Time I think..!

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

That's an interesting point, and probably the subject of a different thread altogether, but are car manufacturers (and other goods as well) making their product with a shorter lifespan because of cost cutting or because of the turnover rate of their consumers? Conversely, have consumers changed their expectations of product life because of the manufacturing process or do they just prefer to turn things over more frequently. Which is the actual driver (no pun intended)?

As an example, what's the average useful life for a mobile phone these days? And what about a phone from 20 years ago? 40 years ago (not withstanding the difference in capabilities).

IMHO, it's consumerism that is driving this process.

too true good discussion Fox, start up the thread
Your involved in a good field to express this I reckon and we will join in.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

That's an interesting point, and probably the subject of a different thread altogether, but are car manufacturers (and other goods as well) making their product with a shorter lifespan because of cost cutting or because of the turnover rate of their consumers? Conversely, have consumers changed their expectations of product life because of the manufacturing process or do they just prefer to turn things over more frequently. Which is the actual driver (no pun intended)?

I feel a lot of the cost cutting is to mitigate the amount of money they are spending on battery-electric R&D.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I feel a lot of the cost cutting is to mitigate the amount of money they are spending on battery-electric R&D.

I would love to know just how much R&D is required in comparison. I would assume developing a new ICE engine and calibrating it's tune, calibrating it's powertrain/transmission to match etc would take far longer than an electric motor and it's drivetrain. Building a new platform is expensive but just like ICE vehicles you share and mod it for various variants so I'd expect a similar cost if not cheaper for an EV. Electric motors surely cost less to build than an ICE engine. Is building a battery factory more expensive than a new engine casting and production plant?

So.....show me the money....I'm thinking it's more likely...."we can charge more because demand is high and we don't build enough and it's also early days for early adopters"....yes I'm cynical....then if they used Aussie engineers, they would save more again...