WANG WENLONG KNEW he wasn’t going to get top quality when he plunked down $4,700 for a locally made car.
But he didn’t expect so many problems from his Xiali subcompact—from windows that refused to open to windshield wipers that wouldn’t wipe.
“I got what I paid for, and at least it didn’t cost too much to fix those problems,” said Wang, a 30-year-old Beijing resident. “That’s why those cars are still very popular and sell well in the market.”
But will they sell overseas? China clearly has such ambitions. Earlier this month, a major Chinese automaker partnered with the Chrysler Group to export to Western markets.
A recent spate of scandals, though, has exposed a major weakness behind the country’s transformation into a global export power: Quality control. As authorities scramble to reassure overseas customers, the stakes are huge. China, following in the footsteps of Japan and South Korea, is banking on a shift to higher-end exports to continue its economic climb and better the lives of its citizens.
Success hinges on lifting quality to international levels. American and European factory workers may fear Chinese competition but, on this front, China still has a ways to go.
A recent China Automobile Consumer Satisfaction survey found that 77 percent of new car owners reported problems, with 338 problems for every 100 vehicles. The report blamed automakers for using cheaper parts to cut costs as they battle ferocious competition.
“It’s clear that China is going to have to match global standards for quality and safety,” said Gene Grabowski, a senior vice president at Washington-based Levick Strategic Communications.
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