I don't wanna get involved into this sort of mud-slinging festival, but only to cite a few things based on experience:
(1) IMHO most NA assembled imports such as Honda, Toyota, etc. quality isn't up to snuff if you are to compare to the Japanese import stuff: the probably of getting quality issues due to components, parts and assembly, etc. are much, much higer. IMHO citing NA built Accords, Civics and Corollas (which I'm highly familiar of their quality), they are, IMHO only up to 75% to that of the true 100% Japanese assembled (incl Japanese parts). Most complaints incl. poor fit and finish, squeaks, mechanical noises, poorly assembled panel pcs, plastic panel pcs, etc.
(2) due to importation regulations and the tax associated, most NA assembled vehicles carry at least 50%+ locally sourced parts and components from local NA parts suppliers such as AC Delco, Nippon Denso (US, Mexico, etc.), TRW, Mitsu/Hitachi USA alternators and various electrical motor assembles,KYB or Tokico USA for shocks and struts, etc.) While some of the component suppliers do a good job in terms of maintaining their quality, I DO found out that not all of them can hold up to their reputation, citing frequent AC Delco/Delphi alternator mishaps, power steering pump whine, seal failures, and various electrical or ECU control-related sensors and component failures. While to the unknowing vehicle owners this may be considered as part of the total ownership cost for owning such vehicle, me personally refuse to accept that as a fact of life.
IMHO once their OE components are sourced outside of their country (e.g. Japan), most of them quality goes down the drain as well.
Oh well, so much for ranting about quality issues. Given the complexity of modern electronically-controlled, emissions-compliant gasoline/diesel vehicles, electronic component failure is part of the way of life. If I can only get that down to a reasonable level, I would stay true to their products.
My 2c's worth. Have you played with an ND sensor(Mexico made) lately?
Q.
)
