Airbus eyes production in U.S, India

[Slats7]

UPDATE 1-Airbus eyes production in U.S., India | Reuters

Weeks before the first China-built Airbus rolls off the assembly line near Beijing, the European planemaker's top official has pulled out the map and targeted future jetliner production in the United States and India.

 

[samh004]

Yes, that's what will cut costs, adding another assembly point that large parts need to be flown into.

 

[codash1099]

Yes, that's what will cut costs, adding another assembly point that large parts need to be flown into.

I think it's more likely that they would be looking at market expansion rather than cost cutting.Their penetration into the main US airlines isn't all that good.

And keep in mind that large parts are already moved over great distances by both major manufacturers.

 

[samh004]

I think it's more likely that they would be looking at market expansion rather than cost cutting.Their penetration into the main US airlines isn't all that good.

Surely that's more because of the concept that American made is best for American businesses, same as in Australia with Australian made products. Even though these products are far more expensive.

And keep in mind that large parts are already moved over great distances by both major manufacturers.

I know, it's crazy. World we live in I guess.

 

[Flying Fox]

I am guessing it has something to do with the markets that they hope to sell planes in. That is, it looks good to a country if the product is made locally.

I believe that a USAF contract for tankers went to the A330 and a factor was the fact that the construction or part construction was going to be in the USA and provide jobs etc etc.

 

[samh004]

I believe that a USAF contract for tankers went to the A330 and a factor was the fact that the construction or part construction was going to be in the USA and provide jobs etc etc.

I thought it was awarded to Airbus before Boeing objected (reading between the lines - because it wasn't made in America) and is now in limbo, or is now Boeing's.

I'd call shenanigans, but it wouldn't do a lot of good huh.

 

[medhead]

So they're moving production to third countries then.

 

[JohnK]

Am I the only one concerned with the decision to assemble aircraft in China? How does one keep a track of these aircraft to avoid flying in one them? Or better still just stay away from an A320....

 

[samh004]

Am I the only one concerned with the decision to assemble aircraft in China? How does one keep a track of these aircraft to avoid flying in one them? Or better still just stay away from an A320....

Quite a lot of things you use in everyday life probably have origins in China. Just because the labour is cheap, doesn't mean it's a bad product, just don't use the powdered baby milk

 

[Evan]

Am I the only one concerned with the decision to assemble aircraft in China? How does one keep a track of these aircraft to avoid flying in one them? Or better still just stay away from an A320....

At the moment only intended to supply the 'local' market so safe for a while Besides i would fly on the first few produced, no problems will they learn how to cut the corners.

And yes i do believe what i just said given the work i had to do today on a system after somebody cut some corners...

 

[Mal]

Am I the only one concerned with the decision to assemble aircraft in China?

I'm not concerned as long as Airbus keeps a tight eye on production. The same sort of concerns should be valid for a French plant or an US plant really.

 

[Evan]

I'm not concerned as long as Airbus keeps a tight eye on production. The same sort of concerns should be valid for a French plant or an US plant really.

I can't comment on French but as a general rule i will say with my extensive experience in the recent years with teams doing the same task in a different country (Brazil, USA, Germany, Singapore, China) there one only one country in there that we have a problem with shortcuts creeping into the work....

My overtime today was a direct result of such shortcuts been taken and due care not being exercised. If correct change control and testing had been done like every other country and documentation kept we would not have had an issue.

Being an international company we pay above average (Chinese staff drive cars and own houses) so i can't believe we have in any way worse staff than other international companies may attract.

All we expect is the checklist is following and they don't 'forget' task B in A-B-C, can't be that hard can it ??

So how do i feel about planes being built in China... well i hope they have more ex-pats watching them than what we have. The problem is our ex-pats have reduced in numbers as they have some years experience now so should not need so much baby sitting.

 

[JohnK]

Quite a lot of things you use in everyday life probably have origins in China. Just because the labour is cheap, doesn't mean it's a bad product, just don't use the powdered baby milk

To be fair and honest I find most things manufactured in China cheap and poor quality. Maybe I am been biased and have not seen all products manufactured in China but I think their reputation precedes them....

 

[medhead]

To be fair and honest I find most things manufactured in China cheap and poor quality. Maybe I am been biased and have not seen all products manufactured in China but I think their reputation precedes them....

Ahh that's right you don't own an ipod do you JohnK? An item manufactured in China that is general of a decent quality.

What about a mac book or mac mini, do you have one of those things?

 

[browski]

Ahh that's right you don't own an ipod do you JohnK? An item manufactured in China that is general of a decent quality.

What about a mac book or mac mini, do you have one of those things?

I think I'm with John here.
What about a Lenovo, Medhead? Do u think the Thinkpads are as good since they stopped being made by IBM?

What about Stella Artois beer? Do you think it tastes as good as in Belgium - or do you think the Stella made "under supervision by Belgium brewers" in Melbourne is better?

What about Fender Startocasters. Were the Japanese made Strats (Squiers) ever as good as the US made ones?

And here's the exception that makes the rule.....Fosters brewed overseas is better than Fosters brewed in Oz

 

[medhead]

I think I'm with John here.
What about a Lenovo, Medhead? Do u think the Thinkpads are as good since they stopped being made by IBM?

What about Stella Artois beer? Do you think it tastes as good as in Belgium - or do you think the Stella made "under supervision by Belgium brewers" in Melbourne is better?

What about Fender Startocasters. Were the Japanese made Strats (Squiers) ever as good as the US made ones?

And here's the exception that makes the rule.....Fosters brewed overseas is better than Fosters brewed in Oz

Haven't used lenovo, so can't comment, but the ones other people use seem to be ok.

Stella Artois - try hard scum beer, tastes ok, haven't tried the belgium version - can't comment

stratocasters - can't comment. But yamaha make a good piano and my yamaha trumpet is pretty good - but not a bach.
When you say were the Japanese strats... - how far back in the "were" are you going? What about now! Not sure about how Japan in the past has anything to do with china now. But are you seriously suggesting that a Landcrusier made in Japan is an inferior 4wd?

No australian drinks fosters - can't comment.

Seen 2 ASUS notebooks, very good build quality.

I can't figure out what these examples have to do with the build quality of Apple's products. The Apple products I have are great and they were built in China. In fact, apple market their products are being superior in many ways, including build quality, and millions of people buy their products and keep buying their products. I'm yet to see any sweeping, broadscale complaints about the apple's quality.

Therfore I can't agree that all products made in china are inferior quality...

 

[NM]

Haven't used lenovo, so can't comment, but the ones other people use seem to be ok.

I have been happy with my Lenovo T60 and T61 laptops and it seems to be built to the quality as my previous IBM T41. But my older IBM T21 has a dead screen and has had the hard disk replaced. So far my Lenovo experience has been good.

Stella Artois - try hard scum beer, tastes ok, haven't tried the belgium version - can't comment

Same here

stratocasters - can't comment. But yamaha make a good piano and my yamaha trumpet is pretty good - but not a bach.
When you say were the Japanese strats... - how far back in the "were" are you going? What about now! Not sure about how Japan in the past has anything to do with china now. But are you seriously suggesting that a Landcrusier made in Japan is an inferior 4wd?

My recent experience with reliability of a very expensive digital audio mixer from the UK has been poor, especially when compared with the much less expensive and supposedly significantly inferior Japanese products. While the UK product is neat to use and great when it works, the reliability and price make the Japanese product very attractive.

No australian drinks fosters - can't comment.

:mrgreen:

Seen 2 ASUS notebooks, very good build quality.

I know plenty of people who have different views on that one.

Therfore I can't agree that all products made in china are inferior quality...

I think it all depends on the manufacturing goals. If they are just looking to push out high volumes of low cost product, then yet the quality may be inferior. But I have found the quality difference is often due to the lower cost materials used rather than the workmanship. And I would expect the materials will be the same for a Chinese assembled Airbus to one assembled in the USA, India or France.

The reason for considering building A330s in the USA is to compete with Boeing for the lucrative US military transport contracts where some people believe the US military should only purchase US-made products.

 

[Evan]

<..>

My recent experience with reliability of a very expensive digital audio mixer from the UK has been poor, especially when compared with the much less expensive and supposedly significantly inferior Japanese products. While the UK product is neat to use and great when it works, the reliability and price make the Japanese product very attractive.

:mrgreen:

<..>

MIDAS consoles by any chance ?
I had always considered them one of the best ! and yes very expensive.

 

[NM]

MIDAS consoles by any chance ?
I had always considered them one of the best ! and yes very expensive.

yes, XL8.

Also found another UK manufacture (though much less expensive and selling to a different market) to have some build/component issues. I have a complete set of VU meter bulbs to replace 9 blown out of 11 on a meter bridge. Every A&H ML3000 desk I have seen has multiple blown meter lights.