Its funny how people look way back to the past to validate an argument about Australian
manufacturing standards a quality.
Comparing a 1960's motor car with one made anytime after about the mid 80's is deluded.
All 1960's cars were pretty crappy, and dangerous, no matter where they were made.
A modern Australian made car was at least as reliable, safe and comfortable as an import.
Some snobs only buy the badge, of course. I rolled a VK commodore and walked away
unscathed. If I could have gotten it back on its wheels I would have kept driving. All
the doors still opened and closed. Yet I still hear people talk as if only a well known
European brand is as safe as that. I worked in the industry here and overseas. I
loved it and want to do it again.
Manufacturer's who moved to China did so to save cost and increase margins.
Quality and standards were, mostly, neglected. When a manufacturer demanded
equal quality and standards the cost of moving to China made little sense. I was
involved in some of this too.
Unfortunately our manufacturing based has been wiped out. Few people seem
to understand just how much investment in time and money would be required
to start again from scratch. Fancy just trying to set up a factory just to make a tin
opener here today with Australian made tools etc etc.
