* Major Rant! *

I would agree he would. There are still attempts at pointing out the obvious risk in many decisions on quality but they are very often trumped by a decision of cost. The irony is that the cost of the failed product is not considered. I was in charge of the quality of electronic throttle controls at the time that Toyota sourced theirs. We did not get the contract due to to "cost". What is that cost now. A recent issue with a component that we make (not a safety item!) is showing failures in the field for another customer. A proposal was made to make this design robust for less than $0.15 a part but turned down by the OEM. Now what will be the cost? This is a major launch for a struggling North American based company on an engine that is going in just about every vehicle they make. I bet the PO'd customers will reach out to 100 more saying this companies come back isn't all it is cracked up to be....This is what will take down the perceived advantage we have right now over China.