Freep article. 20 years ago we were teaching Chinese the art of making cars. Everything had to be done with a JV. They learned everything they needed and now they are thriving globally. Why can’t the article point out this simple fact?
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Ford had teams of calibrations engineers in china and we also hosted a few in our NA teams. We built an entire Explorer plant in china to mirror the one in Chicago. Not even sure if it still is making cars.
The only thing Ford seems to be learning from the Chinese is "CHOP, CHOP" the workforce. Kind of like a misdirected surgeon addressing brain cancer. Start at the ankle and work their way up.
It’s amazing what can be done when you can fully disregard IP rights and get away with it. Most Chinese cars are a mashup of the best qualities of multiple auto manufacturers.
Lots of benchmarks to learn everything we needed but ended with no action. Few want to make meaningful changes to improve the processes. In 2020's, you are still doing things fundamentally the same ways things were done in the 80's except with more people and resources just to meet the shorter turn around time.