I've been told that my new Accord 2.2 i-CTDI (diesel) engine was made in the UK, shipped to Japan, fitted into the chassis and body, then shipped back to the UK!!

Anyone know if that's really the case?

Why not ship the empty car to the UK and fit it here???

 

HMMMM:loco: doesnt realy make sense but who knows

 

Quality Control.

 

Very true.

However, they seem to have no problem doing the whole thing for CR-Vs. Needlessto say I'd be more than happy for the whole thing to be built in Japan!

 

it has something to do with the economy. this way both countries can add some points to their GDP (gross domestic product)

 

Welcome to the modern economy. This is not uncommon or suprising. This probably has more to do with production capacity in each country for various platforms or components. You have to remember that Toyota sells this platform all over the world. It could be that UK happens to be a good source for that particular powerplant, yet Japan is the best factory to assemble that particular platform. You just happened to live in the UK. That same car might be sold all over the world.

A complete engine assembly is a high value asset for it's size and weight... so shipping it a long distance is not unreasonable. Having the engine made in 5 or 10 different locations to save a few dollars on shipping costs would be rediculous.

Also consider that the engine makes up a large percentage of content. Therefore, the tariff would be lower I beleive if the UK content is higher. I don;t know if there is a assembly plant in the UK (I thnk Honda or Toyota are building some in Ireland), but if there is, it also possible that capacity for that platofrm is maxed out there, yet the UK is hte only source for that motor.

 

The labor required to assemble a car is much greater than the shipping costs of a motor. assembling 3/4 of the car than shipping it somewhere else to assemble last 1/4 would be far more costly thant assembling it all in one place.

That would also require 2 assembly facilites which combined would cost at least 30% more than 1 large facility. That means the overhead is increased.


So.... Manufacturing/Economics 101... the queston isn't why doesn't Honda assemble the car in the UK... it's should be what other Honda platforms are using that same 2.2L Diesel engine? That same Accord chassis that's assembled in Japan has at least 3 drivetrain options.