Why do the losers of WW2 produce the best cars in the world?

Question

Did the treaty between Germany, Italy, and Japan somehow affect companies such as Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, Toyota, Nissan, etc?

Answer 1

Define "best", please. While German engineered and manufactured cars are considered to be highly reliable, most people that have ever owned a Volkswagen would tell you that there are British and American cars that give German cars a run for their money. Mercedes and BMW were never designed to act as family cars, they're designed for sport or luxury. If you are willing to spend a lot of money for either of those things or simply for status, then you don't need to buy a German car. Italians make fantastic sports cars but the automobiles manufactured in Italy for everyday use are nothing to write home about. Not to mention that because the number of automobiles exported by both Germany and Italy is a fraction of the total numbers of cars on roads all over the world, both German and Italian made cars can be extremely expensive to repair depending on where you live. The Japanese make both family, luxury and sports cars, namely because nearly every factory that had been devoted to munitions, weapons and heavy industry in general was converted after the war and with the advent of the wonderful system of roads that was being laid out following the war, the demand for more and more automobiles was ever increasing. American made cars were designed for long distance travel and gas mileage wasn't a big factor (and in many cases, it still isn't) European roads are much more narrow and the distances are rarely anywhere near as tremendous so the automobiles were both designed and built to a different standard. But there is no such thing as producing the "best" automobile. People that live where I live wouldn't trade their Range Rover for the most top-of-the-line model luxury or sports cars because they wouldn't be worth spit on the roads here.

Answer 2

Leaving aside the question of just what is "best," and then how you would go about measuring that quality (since this could easily result in just about anything being "best"); instead focusing on a couple key issues that came about in the aftermath of WW2 that has had major implications on the automotive industry in those Germany and Japan.



First, as future military industry was essentially a non-factor. When the countries rebuilt industrial capacities focused entirely on other areas, it's easy to see how the automotive industry would receive a greater share of possible resources (if the US had no military industry, and all of the engineers and manufactures involved in aircraft, warships, etc instead were divided among the auto industry?). This had an undeniable impact.



Second, as part of the terms of their surrender, and as a lesson from recent history at the time, the Allies were active in helping to rebuild their capacity and provide favorable trade status for their goods (the aftermath of WW1 took an opposite approach, which was a major factor in WW2 coming about in the first place). Although this didn't provide a real advantage, it did negate much of the disadvantage that came about from literal war damages these countries suffered that would have otherwise slowed their economic and industrial development.



Third, and maybe one of the biggest and most misunderstood: worker rights and unions. Both Japan and Germany received, what would be considered today, extremely liberal Constitutions in the wake of WW2. FDR had long considered such options as possible amendments in the US, but with his passing and subsequent political changes in the US, that never happened. It did however figure into what came about in Japan and Germany - both of which have the strongest auto worker unions. As a result, the strategies of each have seldom mirrored the so called "race to the bottom" that was often adopted by US and some others, as union strength generally forced companies to look at more than just simple cutting of costs (for Japan, it was most often efficiency of production to keep costs low as Germany traditionally focuses on the efficiency to reach higher quality).

Answer 3

Germany despite the outcome the war still somewhat has a desire to be the best at everything they do. They are the best/biggest producers of some things like beer, parties and weapons. Germany has produced the most beer brands worldwide whether they are done in Germany or in other countries by German immigrants, they have the biggest parties(Oktoberfest is one of them) and some of the best weapons(H+K and Rheinmetall). Japan makes fuel efficient cars and family orientated cars, thats why the majority of mini-vans which are cars designed for families are usually made by Toyota or Honda. Italy produces very expensive cars but are indeed the fastest cars on the planet. Fast cars that Italy produces are the Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Maserati. All three countries produce both family friendly cars and expensive and fast cars.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automobile_manufacturers_of_Italy



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automobile_manufacturers_of_Germany



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_automobile_manufacturers_of_Japan

Answer 4

Because the whole focus of the treaties that ended the Second World War and occupation policies of the winning nations was to drastically affect the economies of the defeated nations, supporting them financially and using that financial lever to direct their industries away from military equipment production. The automotive industries are only one example, look at electronics too.



The treaty between Germany, Italy and Japan was a loose alliance aimed at the destruction of the Communist International it was not a trade agreement.

Answer 5

There's a tiny something in there.

The Germans have a history of quality being prized over quantity. That actually contributed to their loss of the war. A Mark V Panther or Mark VI Tiger was simply no match for twenty M-4 or T-34 tanks.

With the Japanese, it's a bit different. MacArthur had Deming et al. in Japan as part of his fiefdom, and the Japanese manufacturers paid attention.

Answer 6

Luxury cars are made by Germany, sports cars are made by Italy, and family cars are mode by Japan while Americans invent new things. Winner countries of WWII have so much savings from the colonial past with plenty of resources so they don't need to make good products to run the economy while smaller countries who failed to expand their territories have to make good products to become rich.

Answer 7

It might be during the Korean or Vietnam war when the other countries surpassed the U.S. in terms of innovation in the automotive industry.



Toyota is famous for it's "never breaks down" reputation, which was a result of their different quality control system introduced by an American (who was rejected by General Motors).



But the low points for American car industry is over, it's rising back again. Tesla, a pure American car company is leading the way for electric cars that might change the entire industry.

Answer 8

Um - Great Britain produces some of the finest motorcars in the world. Ever heard of the Bentley? Or the Rolls-Royce? And perhaps you think the early Cadillacs and Lincolns were just plain ordinary junk? If so - phooey to you!

Answer 9

i agree



the most bombed out nation produces the most and some of the best cars ----->japanese company ---> toyota motors is the the worlds biggest car manufacturer



good luck

Answer 10

Where do you think all those smart people that used to build planes and tanks went.

Answer 11

they don't they Just own the RR and Bentley factories But they are Getting better

Answer 12

Toyota, Nissan, best cars? you should be publically flogged. Since when have Jap cars been classed as anything but crap, well compared with Detroit bean tins I suppose they are good.

Answer 13

Want to know this too

Answer 14

Germany have some awesome qualities one of them is their engineering

Answer 15

Because we taught them how. Ironic isn't it.

Answer 16

No unions.

Answer 17

I doubt it.

Answer 18

lol. Lambroghini