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Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk4 2020 - => Topic started by: RuthieB on May 28, 2026, 10:52:41 AM

Title: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: RuthieB on May 28, 2026, 10:52:41 AM
Interesting comments from Honda CEO in the BBC business news today (28 May ‘26)……don’t Honda have factories in China?

We have no chance against this," Honda chief executive Toshihiro Mibe told Japanese media after visiting a highly automated factory in Shanghai.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Downsizer on May 28, 2026, 12:33:21 PM
Yes, we used to think Japanese cars were poor imitations of our wonderful British Leyland products! If you can’t beat them, you have to join them.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Lord Voltermore on May 28, 2026, 01:09:50 PM
Its an honest and realistic assessment.  China still has  millions of rural labourers earning less per year than even Chinese urban factory workers earn in a month. And much less they would have to be paid in  more advanced economies.   With communities happy for a huge factory to spring up on farm land  (or required by the Government  to allow it) 

Japan,or 'advanced' western economies, cannot hope to compete with this.   At present they can get their own branded products  and components parts made more cheaply in China, (or india etc etc|)  and then sell them more competatively  under their own name and reputation.   
But increasingly China are developing their own car brands,  and improving them to the point where they can cut out the expensive 'middleman' ie Japan ..Or, quite often they buy the rights to a once respected western Brands such as Volvo (and MG  ;)  and sell the cars they developed themselves  under that name. Unashamedly claiming the many years of history of that original brand.   Maybe  these new Chinese cars are deserving of their own good reputation (In the same way that Japanese cars eventually earned their own good reputation)  But I dont like products that claim past history of the original (failed) manufacturer.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on May 28, 2026, 03:09:44 PM
I think we should expect the Chinese to gain and secure their place in the automotive market, just as the Japanese and Koreans did in the past.
When I see how brands like BYD, MG, Omoda, and JAECOO are growing like weeds here in Poland and are opening new dealerships everywhere, while there isn't a single Honda dealer to be found in our area anymore...

Furthermore, it appears they are very good at anticipating market demand. For example: in Europe, BYD was all about EV, EV, and only EV.
Now, suddenly, they have various models with plug-in hybrids, even small(er) models like the Atto 2 DM-i and, soon, the Dolphin G DM-i.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: John Ratsey on May 28, 2026, 05:44:17 PM
China has many car manufacturers who are making little or no profit. Will some disappear as quickly as they have appeared leaving their products without long-term support? Are there some lurking problems similar to Honda's brake simulator problem? Perhaps longer-term considerations don't trouble people who are on 3? year PCP deals which could leave dealers with vehicles which are difficult to sell. What will one of the JAECOO Range Rover look-alikes be worth in 2029?
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Nicksey on May 29, 2026, 06:39:25 AM
My own dealership here in Lincolnshire now has more BYD on the forecourt than Hondas, which does worry me a bit, considering how good a dealership they have been.
Off topic regarding auto manufacture.. but on topic with Chinese production. I am an avid birdwatcher, and use Zeiss binoculars. A renowned and well respected optics maker from Germany. High standards, with high prices. However, they have just started supplying a scope made in China. German design, pieced together in China. The price is a third of what it would be if still made in Germany. I bought one! I have a scope made in Japan too, which again this Chinese one was a third of the Japanese price. The quality is good, it is robust and has all the technical qualities of its rivals and also comes with a Zeiss 10 year guarantee. Zeiss said it was a way of keeping a high quality product but with competitive pricing.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on May 29, 2026, 12:05:49 PM
The fact that your own dealership now has more BYDs on the lot than Hondas, does that mean to you that it's a less good dealership? That seems a bit strange to me...
I would say: more choice at that good dealer and an excellent opportunity to compare cars from both brands thoroughly.
Much better than our situation here: our dealer disappeared (without saying goodbye >:(), just like another dealer 42 km (26 mi) away. The nearest Honda dealer is now a bit far: over 130 km (81 mi). One way!
Oh, and the brand-new showroom of the BYD dealer in Torun is 3.5 km (just over 2 mi) from my front door, the workshop a bit further, about 11 km (almost 7 mi)!
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Nicksey on May 29, 2026, 07:00:02 PM
Quote from: Jazzik on May 29, 2026, 12:05:49 PM
The fact that your own dealership now has more BYDs on the lot than Hondas, does that mean to you that it's a less good dealership? That seems a bit strange to me...


Why strange?
My point is the dealership is putting less Honda on the forecourt, which seems to be a pattern that has seen other Honda dealerships close their relationship with Honda, and become another brand dealership. If this happens, will they still offer the same service to my Honda if they no longer are affiliated to the brand.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Lincolnshire Rambler on June 03, 2026, 01:37:24 PM
Nicksey , i hope our Honda garage does retain its Honda Franchise , especially in the light of Honda now offering an 8 year warranty! If you owned DM Keith you surely would see a chinese brand as good business to expand to cover . Some honda customers may switch to BYD but many honda owners wouldnt ,least in my view. 
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Nicksey on June 03, 2026, 05:23:47 PM
I would like to think so LR. They have been a great dealership up to this point. I was concerned because of the lack of Honda marques on the forecourt, and it does seem a pattern developing elsewhere. I agree that it would be unlikely that they would abandon their Honda customers, and seeing as I still have two services left on my five year plan I will be keeping my fingers firmly crossed.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Kremmen on June 03, 2026, 05:50:13 PM
Reading this Which? report I get the impression they think China cars are sub-standard, not well thougbt out :

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/what-exactly-is-the-jaecoo-7-and-why-is-it-so-popular-aepWk2H3hi0t
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 03, 2026, 09:29:44 PM
Just my opinion...
To start with, an important observation: There are no "China cars" just as there are no "Europe cars." Dozens of Chinese brands are now being imported into Europe. Lumping all those brands together makes no sense.

An example: In January, the Dutch Consumers' Association once again announced the results of the annual "car defect test."
The Consumers' Association conducted research into car defects together with nine other European parties. In total, the distributed questionnaire was completed by more than 50,000 Europeans. It concerns cars no older than ten years. The questions focus on problems that occurred with the car in the past year. In the latest study, breakdown statistics for some 300 different models from 39 car brands have been mapped out.
If a repair could wait, that accounts for 20% of the rating. If the car had to go to the garage immediately, that counts for 35%, and for 45% if the car could no longer drive. All results have been aggregated per brand and model.

The ten most reliable car brands according to the Consumers' Association
1 . Lexus – 8,9
2 .  Suzuki – 8,7
3 .  Toyota – 8,7
4 .  Subaru – 8,6
5 .  Honda – 8,5
6 .  BYD – 8,4 *
7 .  Tesla – 8,4
8 .  Mazda – 8,3
9 .  Kia – 8,2
10. Mitsubishi – 8,2

For many, the 8.4 that the BYD brand scored in this reliability test will come as a surprise. After all, "made in China" still carries a negative image. It turns out that this is not always justified.

The ten least reliable car brands according to the Consumers' Association
1 .  Land Rover – 4,3
2 .  MG – 5,9 *
3 .  Lynk & Co – 6,2 *
4 .  DS Automobiles – 6,2
5 .  Citroën – 6,3
6 .  Peugeot – 6,4
7 .  Opel – 6,8
8 .  Ford – 7,1
10. Alfa Romeo – 7,1

* Chinese brand in the top ten most reliable.
* Chinese brand in the top ten least reliable.

The Germans are also positive about BYD:
General Reliability & Test Results
In the extensive ADAC Car Catalog, the BYD models released in Europe (such as the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, and Seal U) score solid to very good.

And then there is this: my last 5 cars were from 4 different brands (3 Japanese and 2 Korean). I have no attachment to a brand and always choose cars that best meet my needs at that moment.
Important criteria are reliability and, of course, cost. I find appearance less important, as long as it isn't an SUV with the shape of a shipping container. And which logo is on the bonnet is of no importance.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Hicardo on June 03, 2026, 10:01:56 PM
Its surely inevitable that China will gradually increase quality, support, longevity of their products. 

At this stage - they are easily competing on price which will win them sales.  In 3 years time, i suspect these vehicles will be better supported in terms of spares.  And in 5 years time, their prices will probably creep up as the businesses mature, and they need to focus on reliability and quality more. 

Harry's Garage on YouTube has a very interesting review of the Jaecoo 7 this week (a vehicle thats way too big for me to consider btw) and he (Harry) pretty much agrees that theyre off to a great start, and can understand why it is currently top of the sale charts in its sector (the plug in hybrid one for 36K)   

They are providing so much for so little outlay in comparison to established premium brands. Most people in UK don't seem to really care if it doesnt corner quite so flat as a Toyota, Audi or Range Rover, and if it might have a few software issues (for example) because if they take it back to the Jaecoo dealer to be fixed, the dealer will give them another car until theirs is ready, or if they have to wait for a spare part. 

Looks are a big thing (apparently) and a lot of people cant believe they can get something as big and cool as a Velar with better reliability, already,  for 1/2 the price.  It even has a Land Rover lookalike steering wheel.  All this means absolutely nothing to me, I'd rather drive my Honda Crosstar, but i definitely DO see why they're selling extremely well already.  The Lease and PCP deals are nothing short of amazing for the Jaecoo 7 for example.

It will waken the market up for sure.  Wonder what will happen with the pricelists of Japanese and European cars particularly.

Honda will surely have to do some Chinese partnerships to remain competetive.  Its worked for Tesla.

 
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 10, 2026, 10:10:35 PM
I have mentioned here before that certain Chinese brands, such as BYD, MG, Omoda, and JAECOO, are making significant progress.
BYD initially had exclusively electric cars.
Now they have various models with plug-in hybrid drive, even smaller models like the Atto 2 DM-i and now the Dolphin G DM-i.

And the prices for that Dolphin G DM-i, specially developed for the European market and built in Hungary, have been announced in the Netherlands today (not the cheapest country for cars!).
Brace yourselves: The Dolphin G DM-i has a starting price of €24,990 in the Netherlands! That is for the Active trim with a plug-in hybrid powertrain featuring a 7.8 kWh battery that enables an electric range of 40 km.(25 mi)
There will be a second variant (which I assume will be much more popular) with an 18 kWh battery and an electric driving range of up to 105 km.(65 mi)! That one costs from €27,490 and is available starting from the Boost trim. Then there are the Comfort (€ 28,990) and the Sport (€ 29,990).

Compare that to the prices of the cheapest Jazz in the Netherlands, the Elegance: € 28,915; the Advance Sport € 31.745; an Advance Crosstar costs € 33,000!!! And this won't just be a struggle for Honda; what about the Toyota and Renault hybrids, for example?

And the BYD is also more spacious (but no magic seats... :() , with a larger boot and, frankly... it looks better... 8) Just take a look:

(https://autonotizen.de/imagick?url=/user/pages/03.neuigkeiten/3451.byd-dolphin-g-dm-i-2026/001_byd_dolphin_g___1781100081235.jpeg&mode=cropZoom&w=1920&h=1080&align_x=center&align_y=center&signature=c9c52fe4798feae7ac72221df143cfcf568b8c1e83745125f1dbb1a8fa37f54e)

(https://autonotizen.de/imagick?url=/user/pages/03.neuigkeiten/3451.byd-dolphin-g-dm-i-2026/027_byd_dolphin_g___1781100081235.jpeg&mode=cropZoom&w=1920&h=1080&align_x=center&align_y=center&signature=30cab79075eac709bceed3593ff3c63f054e04c96dd057a596a1918ab3f424b7)

(https://autonotizen.de/imagick?url=/user/pages/03.neuigkeiten/3451.byd-dolphin-g-dm-i-2026/129_byd_dolphin_g___1781100081236.jpeg&mode=cropZoom&w=1920&h=1080&align_x=center&align_y=center&signature=ae251be1ddfa394c3c730b0299371b0f49aba22ceacbec5c0f0c350a2d8b2452)

https://www.byd.com/eu/hybrid-cars/dolphin-g

When it appears at the dealer here in Poland, we'll book a test drive!

Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Kremmen on June 11, 2026, 05:28:12 AM
BYD has just been barred from some US owners as a security risk as a link to the Chinese military has allegedly been found

I'm still of the opinion that China could and would disable all Chinese developed cars if circumstances changed
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 11, 2026, 11:51:38 AM
Quote from: Kremmen on June 11, 2026, 05:28:12 AM
BYD has just been barred from some US owners as a security risk

Right... a lot to read (and learn) here:

"The Pentagon has added several prominent Chinese businesses, including the tech giant Alibaba, electric car maker BYD and search engine Baidu, to its list* of Chinese military companies, preventing them from getting U.S. defense contracts."

* "the list seeks to identify Chinese companies that the Pentagon considers to have links to the Chinese military"
https://www.fastcompany.com/91556345/pentagon-just-blacklisted-tech-giant-alibaba-electric-car-maker-byd-heres-why

"The Pentagon has not provided direct evidence for its claims."
https://electrek.co/2026/06/10/byd-threatens-sue-trump-administration-pentagon-military-list/

"For instance BYD, which does not export its cars to the US (https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/verschiedene/a046.gif), surpassed Tesla earlier this year to become the world's top EV maker."
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75y6e5p9reo

That was the Pentagon. But we also have to do with ehhh...(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/konfus/a015.gif):
"President Donald Trump said in January that he would welcome Chinese carmakers such as BYD if they built plants in the U.S. and hired American workers." (https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/c078.gif)
https://www.fastcompany.com/91556345/pentagon-just-blacklisted-tech-giant-alibaba-electric-car-maker-byd-heres-why

BYD: ‘We will use our legal weapons’
"Li didn’t hold back in comments to The Telegraph. She framed the designation as an attack on BYD’s success rather than a security finding:

Because you are too strong, somebody challenges you – they cannot challenge your products so they will challenge this kind of perception. But we will use our legal weapons to protect us. Everybody should know in the world: BYD is not a company that can be pushed around, [where] you can give some false claim.

Asked directly whether BYD intends to sue the US government, Li said the company will first try to talk “very openly, transparently,” but added: “if everything’s getting worse, we have to use our legal protection.”

The timing is notable. BYD officially overtook Tesla as the world’s largest all-electric vehicle maker in 2025, selling 2,254,714 BEVs against Tesla’s 1,636,129 deliveries — a gap of over 600,000 vehicles."

and the commentary from electrek:

"The pattern here is hard to ignore. The US can’t compete with BYD on product, no American automaker sells an EV anywhere near BYD’s price-to-capability ratio, so the response has been tariffs first, and now a military designation delivered without published evidence. Maybe the Pentagon has solid intelligence behind the listing, but “trust us” is a tough sell when the same designation conveniently lands on the company that just dethroned Tesla globally."
https://electrek.co/2026/06/10/byd-threatens-sue-trump-administration-pentagon-military-list/

PS And what about (American) Tesla...?
(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/c050.gif)
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/17/tesla-elon-musk-privacy
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: stefan on June 11, 2026, 10:12:54 PM
BYD and co are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government and operate at a heavy financial loss. What will happen when the party’s priorities change and subsidies disappear? Will dealers remain? And BYD likely doesn’t have as old of a fleet in the EU as other brands, so this isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison. I’m skeptical. It’s not exactly a KIA/Hyundai story.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 18, 2026, 01:02:34 PM
Quote from: Kremmen on June 03, 2026, 05:50:13 PM
Reading this Which? report I get the impression they think China cars are sub-standard, not well thougbt out :

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/what-exactly-is-the-jaecoo-7-and-why-is-it-so-popular-aepWk2H3hi0t

It is sometimes funny(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/froehlich/a050.gif) to read what the 'expert' testers, in this case Matt Robinson from Auto Express, have to say about a car: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/byd/369775/new-byd-dolphin-g-2026-review-phev-power-helps-mask-its-flaws

"To drive, the BYD Dolphin G is proficient but unspectacular, and its dynamic display is marred by a couple of significant drawbacks which might be enough to put some potential punters off.

Chief offender is an overly busy and far too gritty low-speed ride, exacerbated by the larger 18-inch alloys of our test vehicle. The BYD can really amplify what are only modest lumps in the road surface into quite sharp-edged experiences below 30mph, although it does get better and more composed as speeds rise and tarmac conditions improve.

Another bugbear is the sheer slovenliness of throttle response, in terms of waking the engine up to deliver full power and torque to the wheels. It can take entire seconds for the engine to cough into life and join the electric motor in pushing the car forward at its swiftest pace, and when you do press the engine into action it makes a strained, unpleasant din as the e-CVT gearbox permits it to rev out for prolonged periods.

Also, while the steering is by no means the worst we’ve encountered, there’s still a lack of meaningful feel to it and an odd sensation of stickiness just off dead-centre, all overlaid by an over-zealous self-centring mechanism.

Nonetheless, driven much more sedately, the DM-i proves to be a functionally capable and undemanding vehicle; precisely what target buyers in this sector crave."

Did he really mean by this that if you don't drive like a maniac, the car drives exactly the way the target customer wants?(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/smilie/konfus/a015.gif)

Oh, and about the fuel consumption?
'...a reasonably untaxing test route elicited overall economy of 49.6mpg – just off the claimed combined figure of 62.8mpg, but not by enough to ring alarm bells about the BYD’s long-term efficiency.'

Sure! Uhhh... watch:
Well... it is a Chinese(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/figuren/a094.gif) car, of course.
Maybe difficult, but it might be good to set aside all political and economic sentiments for a moment when evaluating a car...

PS You might want to read this
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/byd/dolphin-g
and this
https://www.independent.co.uk/cars/electric-vehicles/byd-dolphin-g-dmi-review-b2993793.html
as well. No, James Attwood and Steve Fowler did not test a different car.(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/c086.gif)
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Downsizer on June 18, 2026, 02:39:23 PM
If you can’t beat them, join them!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy927pjgn0ro
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Kremmen on June 18, 2026, 02:55:57 PM
If a previous neighbours Qashqai is anything to go by a Chinese car may fit in well

That spent more time at the dealers than at his house. At my new house there is also a dead Qashqai across the road. Both 2014 models

Always electronic problems
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 18, 2026, 03:22:37 PM
Well, Qashqai... Qashqai... Nissan, right? Japanese? What is it with those Japanese cars? Qashqai electronic problems, others constantly dead 12-volt batteries... and dealers disappearing...

It gives the impression that these Japan cars, just like the China cars, are substandard, not well thought out (if you lump them all together).
(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/froehlich/a068.gif)
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Nicksey on June 18, 2026, 09:05:18 PM
Quote from: Jazzik on June 18, 2026, 03:22:37 PM
Well, Qashqai... Qashqai... Nissan, right? Japanese? What is it with those Japanese cars? Qashqai electronic problems, others constantly dead 12-volt batteries... and dealers disappearing...

It gives the impression that these Japan cars, just like the China cars, are substandard, not well thought out (if you lump them all together).
(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/froehlich/a068.gif)

By most of the reviews, you can add Mazda to this list too.

Me, if I ever win a bit of money and am able to afford another car... it will be a Suzuki  ;D
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Downsizer on June 19, 2026, 09:45:13 AM
When I worked in engineering in the north-east in the 80’s and 90’s Nissan had outstanding quality control procedures extending through the supplier chain, and the cars were very reliable. I don’t know what happened after they got involved with Renault.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 19, 2026, 04:01:22 PM
EU prepares tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrids, Handelsblatt reports https://www.reuters.com/world/china/eu-prepares-tariffs-chinese-plug-in-hybrids-handelsblatt-reports-2026-06-19/

So... that will be Europe's defense against, for example, this...:

BYD (Dutch website): https://www.bydauto.nl/plug-in-hybride/

OMODA: https://omodaauto.co.uk/omoda-9/ and https://omodaauto.co.uk/omoda-5-shs-h/

JAECOO: https://jaecoo.co.uk/ - https://jaecoo.co.uk/jaecoo-7-shs

Only... this one (https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcShN6Q9_hKS5ocjXB3SxOlxDB2VVhmhfxrK5g&s) will be already produced in Europe (Hungary)...
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Kremmen on June 19, 2026, 04:45:41 PM
As posted above, if China are subsidising Chinese manufacturers to allow them to sell at a loss and drive EU manufacturers into closure then there needs to be a method to even the playing field

 
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 19, 2026, 05:56:05 PM
There is a general import tariff of 10% on all cars from outside the EU (except for countries with which we have a trade agreement). That is what is permitted within the WTO framework. That is also why that nonsense about "unfair subsidies" had to be invented; otherwise, we would be violating the rules we helped write ourselves.
All American tariffs are also illegal within the WTO framework, but because the Americans have paralyzed the appeals committee, no one can seek justice. In this regard, however, the EU is doing nothing different than Trump, only they package it a bit more cleverly with a voluminous report full of blah-blah.

So...

If we can't beat them, we'll just slap another import tariff on top, because, well, imagine we could actually drive a good, affordable Chinese car!!

When the Japanese arrived, and later the South Koreans, something like this wasn't done.
Europe thought: "Those cars don't stand a chance against our 'quality products'..."
Now Toyota and Kia are in the top 10 of car sales in Europe every month with 2-3 models.

And the Chinese? Confronted with tariffs, they do it this way:

Leapmotor is collaborating with Stellantis, and the B10 and B05 come from Spain.
XPeng assembles its cars in Austria.
BYD will very soon be squeezing cars out of their new factory in Hungary.
Chery is located in the former Nissan factory in Spain.
Dongfeng is in talks with Italy to start producing cars there.

By all means, keep imposing those import tariffs on Chinese cars; they will find a way (not to exploit the customer ;)).

Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: 5thcivic on June 20, 2026, 04:13:04 PM
I'm old enough to remember when the first Datsuns and Nissans came to the UK, to an avalanche of car media derision, cheap, tinny, full of bad taste chrome, underpowered, odd looking, not our culture, how our Leylands, Fords and Vauxhalls were so superior.

Move on 10 or 15 or 20 years, Leylands cars now envoked sniggers, Fords and Vauxhalls increasingly unreliable, and Honda and Toyota cars didn't go wrong much and were much nicer to drive now and not too bad looking either. And my, weren't they good value for money in comparison.

History now turns another circle with China?
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Downsizer on June 20, 2026, 06:23:05 PM
The book “the machine that changed the world” is a very readable explanation of the Toyota lean manufacturing philosophy, which was then widely adopted by others, including presumably the Chinese makers. It eliminated most stockholding with JIT (just in time) supply chains as opposed to the traditional TFL
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Nicksey on June 21, 2026, 08:38:49 AM
Kaizen. The Japanese developed the Kaizen method of production, which put the nail in the British bike industry long before it started with our car industry too.
Interestingly, when John Bloor started the new Triumph factory at Hinckley he employed the Kaizen system, which is why they have been a huge success.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Jazzik on June 21, 2026, 12:54:18 PM
The French have now also discovered how to build an electric car. Just look at the new Renault Twingo.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTVnWaC6EHJmpcjA-pXB0Mu90XRV7IivuPiBkU6kcgqJQ&s)
The development of this Twingo took place at the brand’s Chinese R&D centre in Shanghai, ACDC.
The electric powertrain comes from a Chinese firm, Shanghai eDrive, the LFP battery is supplied by the Chinese firm CATL.
But the the AmpR Small platform and the infotainment system are French.
Then you put a 'housing' around it and wheels underneath at the Revoz factory in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, and you have a 'French' (https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/c066.gif)electric car...
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: CB72 on July 03, 2026, 04:51:56 PM
Just received an email advertising the Super-N £18k plus, any colour you want as long as its blue, black or white.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: 5thcivic on July 04, 2026, 04:01:11 PM
Does anyone else think it is pretty ugly?
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: 2robbie2 on July 04, 2026, 07:50:05 PM
Perhaps it's a marmite car;- you either love it or hate it. I think it looks fabulous, but then again I like the Suzuki Jimny which also has a boxy shape (although I don't like the purple/blue colour - my favourite is the white).  ;D
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: Nicksey on July 05, 2026, 07:43:42 AM
I think it is ok, and has that distinct Japanese design concept.. Nissan Cube etc.
I do think they missed a trick though, and could have followed in a similar vein to Renault's new retro 5 or the new Citroen 2CV styles. Small, but nice lookers.
Title: Re: The world's carmakers are struggling to compete with China
Post by: RichardA on July 09, 2026, 08:29:20 PM
Skywell's (me neither ;) ) UK importer has closed its doors. They are the first from the new wave of Chinese cars to shut up shop in the UK, unless a new importer is found. (Although GWM recently pulled its Ora sub-brand from the UK):

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/skywell-brand-limbo-after-uk-importer-closes-doors