Re: We have been run over.
Originally Posted by
JBR
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Therein lies the problem.
Workers are cheap in third world countries. British workers can no longer compete as they demand higher pay.
We bought a Dyson vacuum cleaner because that is a British company - British designers and owners, but made in the far east to save money and sell (relatively) cheaper.
I'm afraid that the days of buying all-British manufactured goods are coming to an end.
A shame really, as the Germans seem able to manufacture excellent cars, made in Germany, even though they pay their workers a very competitive salary.
We should do that, concentrating on high quality goods which can still compete with the Far East, but are attractive to the buyer due to their excellent quality.
Will we?
That wage difference is less stark now than it used to be and of course Chinese wages continue to rise.
The number of middle-class and wealthy Chinese rises with it - did you know that by next year it is said that there will be over 56 million Chinese with liquid assets of over $50,000!
That's equivalent to very nearly the entire population of England, each with $50K or more burning a hole!
Other countries "poorer" are catching up too.
I absolutely agree that we should concentrate on high-quality goods, as we have an enviable record in doing so and we retain the ability in many areas.
I don't see all British-manufactured goods coming to an end; we've had decades of decline.
I see the opposite with a resurgence in the offing.
Or the potential for that, at least; the appetite is certainly there and now we will see who grasps the opportunities.
But I must disagree about German cars; they certainly aren't what they once were and the quality certainly isn't normally premium any more, with the South Koreans easily matching in that area for just one example.
Tesla has proven that quality isn't necessarily a prime consideration.
In fact it's here in the UK that true excellence in quality of cars is evident as well as historic, although sadly most of the prestigious marques are now owned by others.
As for productivity, Nissan's Sunderland plant has led Europe's productivity league for making cars for years.
Whatever the future holds, we're at a crossroads.
Which direction we head from here is down to us.