It's a global economy

[Rocky]

Not that there is any surprise in the fact that it's a global economy, but that fact was brought home to me as I was watching a Canadian TV motorcycle show last night.
The host was at a H***a (show sponsor) dealership in Toronto and standing by several crated bikes that were still outside having just been delivered. As he welcomed the viewers back after a commercial, he commented on the fact that the Goldwing was made in Japan; the CB125 was made in Brazil and the CB250 was made in Thailand.
We like to think that our beloved Triumphs are made in England but Triumph has three factories in Thailand and most people know that.
Even the single cylinder engine for the new BMW G650GS Serato is made in China. Oh the pain of it all!!!

 

[DaveM]

I think it now all comes down to who designs the machinery and looks over the overall quality of the end product as I just don't think you will find much these days that is made in one country. Oh except of course China

 

[dazco]

I'd still have my bike if it were made in Thailand, but I AM glad it wasn't. That was one of the deciding factors not to wait and see how the first few years of production went for the Tbird as far as working out the bugs. I took my chances and one of the reasons was that the Tbirds were 100% made in the UK, but it was said (i even got this right from a rep's mouth) that eventually all models would be at least partially made in Thailand or other places. So while I wouldn't likely have bought mine when I did ONLY because of that, but it was part of what helped push me to buy one of the initial run bikes. They likely would have built it as well or even better in Thailand, but it's just the thought of it, ya know? Harleys are loaded with asian parts. So much for the old harley argument "buy american" !

 

[Rocky]

That is so very true about the Harley's. There was an article in a US bike magazine a while back listing all the Asian parts and systems that are on a Harley and it was quite an eye opener.
I wish I had kept it now.

 

[shanered6]

its all down to cheap labour !.... as much as it pains me to say it ! there just wouldn't be half as many triumph models if it wasn't for cheap labour .
the fact of the matter is that this world could not function without these countries . sad as that is its consumer run ...we want it as cheap as possible and as good quality as possible for the money .
and most products cant be made cost affective in our own countries !

 

[keystiger]

Yes, I agree I laugh (sometimes too loudly) when the " die hard" Harley guys loudly boast about "American Made" and I only "Buy American"..........clueless and delusional is usually my thought.
And then we have this info.......
For example, while Jeep's Patriot may be built in Belvedere, Ill., its transmissions originate in Mexico, Japan and Germany. Similarly Ford's Michigan-assembled Mustang may be as American as mom, Marines, and apple pie, but its transmissions come from China, France, the U.K., and Mexico. Chrysler's PT Cruiser isn’t even built in the U.S. – it’s assembled in Toluca, Mexico, though its transmission is U.S.-sourced. GM, meanwhile, builds its Chevy Camaro in Canada and its GMC Sierra pickup in Mexico.
----unless Uncle Earl is slapping it together in the back yard, from 50's and 60's model parts.......there is no such thing as truly "american made"

 

[T6pilot]

My Bonneville was assembled in Thailand from parts made in UK
My G650GS BMW had a Chinese made motor
Wife's Honda150i was made in Italy
Porsche Carreras get their manual trans from Japan
Harley may have a made in US sticker but 50% of the parts come from overseas, sorry Harley buddies
Very rare to find anything that is 100% made in a single country