[liquid squid]

no don't get it twisted this is absolutely about sales. The only reason one comes out and cries quality over volume is the hope of spiking volume... Its like making 2 rights instead of 1 left.

You want to know whats wrong with "quality controls" in the industry? Its a little thing called growth. So much pressure is placed on these companies to consistently beat numbers from the previous year it becomes pump and dump. Besides consumers turn their cars over so routinely vehicles just need to make it through the first 4 years of song and dance...

 

[liquid squid]

I don't think that it is about sales volume. I think that a better target is profit margins. Certainly focusing on quality does not look exactly the same as focusing on volume. I think the whole point of this post and the article linked to it is that growth doesn't necessarily have to mean more volume. Other things can take priority.

No, in the language of manufacturing growth means volume 366 days per year EVERY YEAR.

Lets break this down then.

Concerns about potentially defective air bags made by Takata Corp (7312.T) have led to recalls of millions of cars by 10 automakers in the United States, mainly Honda.

The root of Honda's quality issues are components manufactured externally, which means that Honda actually has little in terms of control. (Oh and if you look into the airbag fiasco you will find that the majority of cases are on 10+ year old vehicles in humid climates. The seals are being eaten and moisture is getting into the system a wreaking havoc. But its a manufacturing defect and not wear and tear 10 years on right???)

"My heart aches over the fact that our customers have been injured or killed in our products with air bags," Honda Chief Executive Takanobu Ito told reporters at an event to launch the new hybrid Legend model.

"We are, as are other companies, conducting regional recalls in the southern states of the United States and analyzing the data. What we need to do first is to get those result and take appropriate action."

The two included quotes deal directly with recalls. I will repeat this has nothing to do with overall quality, this is pure public relations. Damage control, "look we're a company that cares, we're not like those other guys". Branding 101...