Why do ‘made in Japan' and 'made in Korea' give reliable and high quality images, while ' made in China' gives a cheap image? How should we change this image?

为什么“日本制造”和“韩国制造”给人可靠耐用、品质有保证的印象，而“中国制造”让人觉得粗陋不堪？我们该如何改变这一形象？

以下是Quora读者的评论：

Steve Kervin, lived in Japan (1992-1997)

The answer is simple: Make better products. That’s what Japan did followed by Korea. I would expect China to do the same.

The first foreign car my family purchased was in 1970. It was a Japanese Datsun, and it rusted out after a few Midwestern winters. 18 years later I helped push my mother’s Chrysler into a Toyota dealership when it died on the road on the way to being traded in. It had lasted 4 years and 50k miles before develo a fatal case of “vapor lock.” She bought a Corolla, and it lasted her almost 20 years.

In 2003 I drove a co-worker to buy a Kia. It was cheap and he needed a car ASAP. Kia had terrible reliable ratings, but it also had a long bumper-to-bumper warranty. I’m not sure how long he had that car, but in 2018 one of my adult kids purchased a used Kia and I knew it was a sound decision. In 15 years the Korean cars had become known for their reliability.

Japanese and Korean cars are boring, but they are engineered better than any car on the planet. I read a review by an automotive engineer that found the difference between German auto engineering and Japanese engineering is the following:

答案很简单：生产质量更好的产品吧。日本就是这么做的，后来韩国也这么做了。我希望中国也会这么做。

我们家在1970年购买了第一辆外国车。那是一辆日本的达特桑车，在中西部的冬天熬过几个冬天就变成一堆生锈的破铜烂铁了。18年后，我帮妈妈把克莱斯勒(Chrysler)推进丰田(Toyota)的4S店，它是在去参加以旧换新活动的路上抛锚的。在出现致命的“气锁”问题之前，车子跑了4年，5万英里。我妈妈早先还买了一辆丰田花冠，开了近20年。

2003年，我开车载着同事去挑了一辆起亚。车子很便宜，他又急着用车。起亚的安全评级很低，但它保修期更长一些。我不知道他这辆车开了多久，但是2018年，我有一个成年孩子购买了一辆二手起亚，我认为这是一个明智的决定。近15年来，韩国汽车以其可靠性而闻名全球。

日本和韩国的车中规中矩，但它们的设计比世界上任何车都好。我看过一位汽车工程师的评论，在他看来德国汽车工程和日本汽车工程之间的区别如下：

• Germans engineer a car 100% to the expectation of the driver. They assume the driver will not be stupid or go beyond their limits, so they don’t engineer beyond that. If a part requires 3 bolts they use 3 bolts. If the part breaks, it’s because the driver was an idiot and bears the responsibility for the breakage.
• Japanese engineer a car assuming the driver is a moron. They therefore over-engineer everything. If a part requires 3 bolts, they use 9 expecting the driver to do something idiotic to cause three times the stress on the part.
• 德国人设计的汽车100%迎合驾驶者的期望。他们认为司机不会犯蠢，但也不会比他们更厉害，所以他们不会想着跨出这个框框。如果一个零件需要3个螺栓，那他们就使用3个螺栓。如果零件坏了，那是因为司机太白痴，他要为零件坏掉承担责任。
• 日本工程师把司机当做白痴来设计车辆。所以他们设计的时候什么地方都会多想一步。如果一个零件需要3个螺栓，那他们就用9个，认为司机会干一些愚蠢的事情，造成零件承担3倍的压力。

Since I own and work on several of my own cars, I can attest to this difference. It is why I might like the looks of a European car, but I will always go with the Japanese or Korean for reliability.

因为我自己有好几辆车，也在自己的车上操练过，所以我可以证实，确实存在这种差异。这就是为什么我可能会喜欢欧洲车的外观，但出于可靠性的考虑，我还是会选择日本车或韩国车。

A Japanese Car Assembly Line (source)

一条日本汽车装配流水线

China must do the same. Currently China has a terrible reputation for producing junk. It doesn’t matter what it is. For example, a few weeks ago I bought a sprinkler for my garden hose. It lasted two weeks and broke at a critical area where plastic was used instead of metal. It was irreparable, so I returned it to the store and got a refund.

Over the near-term I would expect higher value-added items like cars and appliances to appear in the USA. They too will likely be poorly designed and made. But if they provide solid warranties and improve over time, I have no doubt that the Chinese can engineer high-quality products just like the Koreans and Japanese.

中国也必须这样做。现在中国因生产垃圾品质的产品而臭名昭著。例如，几个星期前，我为家里花园的水管买了一个洒水器。它就撑着用了两周，用塑料顶替金属的关键部位就断裂了。因为无法修复，所以我只能去店里退货并要求退款。

汽车和家电这样的高附加值商品很快将在美国登陆，其设计和制作可能也一样很糟糕。但如果他们能提供可靠的质量保证，并随着时间的推移不断改进其品质，我绝对相信中国有能力像韩国和日本那样设计出高质量的产品。

Nicolaas Manoppo

Quality image is something to earn within the favorable culture. We know from our experience as consumers, how Japan is always prioritizing quality. We like to talk about Japan Zero fighter plane. We enjoy the craftsmanship of Toyota Corolla, Sony Walkman and many more excellent products. Today we have Samsung and LG TVs and computer monitors at home. We feel confident that South Korea will compete with Japan for excellent qualities.

Made in China gives a cheap image because they are really cheap. The bad quality image mostly come from personal experience. My opinion is, the driving force behind it is the Chinese materialistic culture.

Being rich is number one goal for a Chinese who was born in the traditional culture. Wealth brings respects. One cannot become rich by working for a company. He has to become an entrepreneur. Good profit is the mantra. Unfortunately, seldom Chinese entrepreneur who dare to think that being creative and always striving for quality will bring wealth. Gambling could.

When a Chinese died, what do you see at his burial ceremony? Paper gold, paper money, paper houses, an even paper maid and helpers. They speak themselves for the material worship.

So, the answer really is: we should not change this image. It should be the hard work of China entrepreneurs to strive for quality.

质量形象需要在良好的文化氛围中才能形成。我们作为消费者的经验告诉我们，日本人总是把质量放在首位。我们喜欢谈论日本的零式战斗机。我们欣赏丰田卡罗拉，索尼随身听和更多优秀产品的生产工艺。今天，我们家里还有三星和LG的电视和电脑显示器。我们相信，在品质方面，韩国将与日本一较高下。

中国制造给人一种廉价的印象，因为它们的价格真的很便宜。负面形象大多源于个人经历。我的观点是，其背后的驱动力是中国的唯物主义文化。

对于出生在传统文化中的中国人来说，致富是他们的头号目标。财富带来尊重。光靠给公司打工是富不起来的，必须变成企业家。不幸的是，很少有中国企业家敢于认为创新和追求品质会带来财富。

当中国人去世后，你会在他的葬礼上看到什么？纸黄金，纸币，纸房子，甚至纸女佣和帮手。他们自己解释说这是出于对物质的崇拜。

所以，真实的答案是：我们不应该改变这个形象。追求品质，应该是中国企业家努力做到的事。

Andy Si, Finance Manager

Marketing and public campaign is key! Although it also helps that these countries are allies to the US, where favorable media towards their brands are more advertised.

市场营销和公共活动是关键！当然了，这些国家是美国的盟友，媒体对这些品牌也做了更多的正面宣传广告，这也是一个促进因素。

• Japanese products were good in the 1990s-2000’s, but nowadays, Japanese products are living off of their reputation from decades ago. I’m sure it’s still pretty good, but their premium prices don’t warrant the quality or features they once had. Even Japanese cars, although still very solid, is losing some of its quality and value.
• Korean makes average-above average products. They’ve gone from crap to average/above average. I’ve bought Samsung & LG TVs and other household appliances. 2 years seems to be the borderline before breaking down. Only my LG refrigerator has lasted 7+ years. As for their cars, I don’t know, but looking at it now, it looks a lot better than what I saw in the 90’s-2000’s. I still remember they frequently copy Japanese or German car models.
• Chinese products are a mix, after all, they’re the factory of the world, hence they can offer really good quality or shitty quality. Their smartphones with budget prices are reaching between budget and flagship quality, while their base model prices are reaching budget quality features. DJI drones and cameras are also really good. As for their cars, I think they still need some work, design & performance wise. However, they seem to focus a lot more on electric vehicles rather than gas vehicles.
• 在20世纪90年代至2000左右，日本产品曾经很不错，但如今，日本产品还在依赖几十年前的声誉。我相信日本产品应该还是不错的，但它们的高昂价格已经跟它们曾经的质量和功能不相匹配了。日本车也是如此，虽然仍然很牢靠，但在质量和价值上也已有所下降。
• 韩国生产的产品一般高于平均水平。他们已经从垃圾水平上升到了平均水平，甚至高于平均水平。我买过三星LG电视等家用电器。能用上两年似乎就很了不起了。只有LG冰箱用了7年以上还没出问题。至于他们的车，我不太清楚，但现在看来比90年代到2000年代那会儿的好多了。我还记得他们经常模仿日本或德国的汽车外观。
• 中国产品则良莠不齐，毕竟他们是世界工厂，所以他们有能力生产出极高的品质，也可能生产出低劣的品质。他们的智能手机的价格是绝对物超所值的。大疆的无人机和摄像头也非常好。至于他们的车，我认为他们在设计和性能方面还需要改进。不过他们似乎更关注电动汽车，而不是汽油汽车。

Dragan Evgen Grasic, lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia (2007-present)

These times are long gone. In recent years I have bought several hi-tech gadgets, like:

• Cameras
• Camera lenses
• Camera flashes
• Binoculars
• Photographic filters
• LED video light
• Smartphones
• Robot vacuum cleaner
• Air purifier
• Smart watches
• Wireless earbuds
• Gimbal
• etc.

这些时代早已一去不复返。最近几年，我买了一些高科技的小玩意，比如：

• 相机
• 相机镜头
• 相机闪光灯
• 双筒望远镜
• 摄影滤光器
• LED视频灯
• 智能手机
• 机器人吸尘器
• 空气净化器
• 智能手表
• 无线耳机
• 平衡车
• 等。

All items have had a sticker Made in China. Some items were from Japanese companies (cameras, binoculars, lenses) but produced in China. Other items were entirely Chinese brand products.

All items were of high quality and well packaged. The Chinese manufacturer is proud of its product and he demonstrates this attitude even when designing packaging. The included manuals were very good.

In my opinion Made in China is the same as Made in Japan or even Made in Germany. On the other hand Made in Korea does not give a reliable and high quality image. Chinese products are top notch.

The quality you get depends on the brand you buy from and their level of quality control. It does not necessarily reflect directly in the product price, even low cost Chinese gadgets were of exceptional quality.

这些商品上都带着中国制造的标签。有些产品出自日本品牌(照相机、双筒望远镜、镜头)，但是在中国生产的。其他商品都是中国品牌的产品。

所有的商品都有着很高的质量和精致的包装。中国制造商对自己的产品感到自豪，因此在设计包装时也表现出这种态度。产品附带的手册也非常棒。

在我看来，中国制造可以和日本制造甚至德国制造媲美。而另一方面，韩国制造并没有给人留下可靠和优质的印象。中国产品非常出众。

你所获得的产品质量取决于你购买的品牌和品牌的质量管理水平。这并不一定直接反映在产品价格上，即便是低成本的中国产品，质量也非常好。

Paul Chege

The Chinamen and women are among the best and most talented manufacturers in the world.

Here’s why. If you like a product, They’ll make it according to the flexbility of your finances as well as your quality standards.

Someone once told me that the quality of their products is graded from grade 1 all the way to grade 5.

Typically, grade 1 is the most durable, high quality and expensive. The price, quality and standard decreases with grading. Grade 5 is the cheapest poorest quality ever. And that what most dishonest business people are in a hurry fly to China to source for, So that they can maxmise their profits in a big way.

Many countries are flooded with these low quality products and it’s not China’s mistake. Here you get what you ask for. You want cheap low quality you’ll get that. You want expensive high quality you’ll get it.

中国工人和妇女是世界上最优秀、最有才华的制造商。

我来告诉你为什么。如果你想要某种产品，他们会根据你的财务水平和品质要求来生产。

有人曾经告诉我，他们的产品质量从一级到五级，都可以生产。

通常，1级是最耐用的，质高价也高。价格、质量、标准逐级降低。5级质量最差。最奸诈的商人飞到中国采购这个等级的商品，这样他们就可以追求利润的最大化。

许多国家到处都能见到这种低质量的产品，但这并非中国的错。一分钱一分货，在这里能找到价廉质劣的商品，同样也能找到价高质优的商品。

 译文来源：三泰虎 https://www.santaihu.com/p/52027.html 译者：Joyceliu

Jeff Gruszynski

In the 1950s and 1960s, “Made in Japan”, “Made in Korea”, “Made in Taiwan” and “Made in Hong Kong” had very similar connotations and dubious reputations as “Made in China” today.

Back then, America was the high quality example compared to Japan, et al. so it was the choice of “cheap” vs. “quality”. Some people were OK with taking that trade in one direction or the other.

It’s about Learning curves for manufacturing –

上世纪五六十年代，“日本制造”、“韩国制造”、“台湾制造”和“香港制造”都曾有过如同今天的“中国制造”这样值得玩味的负面名声。

当时，站在日本的对立面，美国是高质量的代名词，所以这是“廉价”与“优质”之间的选择。选购商品时，有的人看重价格，自然也有人看重质量。

这是关于制造业的学习曲线-

1. None EVER starts manufacturing being at high quality; we are all children with new skills and knowledge
2. it ALWAYS takes time to learn how to move from low quality to high quality; you can’t magically become a master without spending the time.

1. 没有谁一开始就能生产出高质量的产品；我们都是拥有新技能和新知识的孩子；

2. 学习如何提高质量是需要时间的；你不可能不费一时一日就成为大师。

Connie Arnold

I’m afraid there’s a simple answer. When China reliably exports products that meet high standards, Chinese exports will be popular for quality rather than price only. When I was a kid, “Made in Japan “ meant cheap, low quality products. Japan mounted a campaign to produce only high quality products, starting with cars! Toyota became the brand most respected for high quality at a bargain price.

BTW, I’m not sure if South Korea has yet reached this level. Their cars are okay, but they have tried to dominate the home appliance market, with spotty success.

答案恐怕很简单。如果中国出口优质产品，中国出口产品将因质量而不再仅仅因为价格而受欢迎。当我还是个孩子的时候，“日本制造”就是价廉低质产品的代名词。后来从汽车开始，日本发起了一场只生产高质量产品的运动！丰田因物美价廉而成为最受推崇的品牌。

我不确定韩国是否已经达到这个水平。他们的汽车还不错，但他们试图称霸家电市场，也取得了局部的成功。

继续阅读：中国制造   韩国制造   日本制造

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