I have to say that when an automaker goes out and tries to shorten a product's lead time to delivery AND save on rising expenses -- that get passed onto consumers -- that happen due to currency fluctuations, that's just good business. So, I welcome the idea of BMW -- or any other automaker -- to build North American factories.
However, I do have ONE problem with that theory.
Are the cars JUST as good as the German counterparts? Not always.
Take, for example, when BMW first starting producing vehicles in its Spartanburg plant. The vehicle's weren't exactly known for having the best materials or quality; however, it seems to have gotten up to speed with its latest iterations.
And Volkswagen, my god. There is a significant difference in the products built in its German plant and the vehicles that are put together in Mexico -- it's not even like the product is from the same car company. Sure, it all looks similar but the quality is significantly different.
That said, whenever I see an automaker building cars this side of the Atlantic I always am a bit skeptical. Am I the ONLY one?
Would YOU be just as enthusiastic to buy a Mexican-built BMW 3-Series or 1-Series?