Spring Break
Chinese Goods Must Be Regulated
John MacArthur
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: Commentary
In recent months China has seen its products, riddled with flaws and defects as a result of the country's cost cutting efforts, recalled in the American market - and the rest of the world is taking notice. In the past year we have seen Chinese made cars fail spectacularly in safety tests, Chinese toys found contaminated with lead paint and Chinese produce rife with contaminants. And yet despite all the problems, China has failed to mount any sort of real change in its industry. Until China makes dramatic changes in the way that it regulates its companies, it will continue to remain a second tier nation in terms of manufacturing quality and how its products are seen across the world.
The Chinese Jinbei Automotive Company recently introduced the ironically named Brilliance BS6, described as a luxury car at an entry level price. However, when the BS6 was put through a 40 MPH crash test by the German ADAC (Germany's largest automobile club), the car managed the minimum one star out of five. If the crash test is any indication, the BS6 is a death trap. The vehicle's firewall bent forward, and the pedals were offset to the back by two feet, crushing the bodies and legs of any potential drivers. These cars are going to be sold in Europe before the end of the year and are planned to be introduced stateside sometime in the foreseeable future.
These cars aren't even close to being safe to drive in any circumstances, especially with the amount of sport utility vehicles on the road in America. Not only are the cars unsafe, but they could be rolling on unsafe tires. Twenty-four states during the summer of 2007 recalled almost 300,000 Chinese made tires that have the same problems with tread separation that Firestone was under such heavy scrutiny for seven years ago. Firestone was checked by government pressure and by threat of lawsuit. Chinese manufacturers face no such legitimate pressure
Chinese toys have also come under scrutiny recently for the gaffes in product-checking. From an area where 70 percent of the world's toys are produced, we have seen recalls of over a million Sesame Street toys due to leadbased paint contamination . Just this past week over 800,000 Barbie accessories and Fisher Price toys were recalled again due to lead paint, and small magnets that could be swallowed by children and lead to perforated bowels. Mattel, the company who makes Barbie toys, has taken action and severed ties with the contractors in China responsible for the lead contamination.
The Chinese Jinbei Automotive Company recently introduced the ironically named Brilliance BS6, described as a luxury car at an entry level price. However, when the BS6 was put through a 40 MPH crash test by the German ADAC (Germany's largest automobile club), the car managed the minimum one star out of five. If the crash test is any indication, the BS6 is a death trap. The vehicle's firewall bent forward, and the pedals were offset to the back by two feet, crushing the bodies and legs of any potential drivers. These cars are going to be sold in Europe before the end of the year and are planned to be introduced stateside sometime in the foreseeable future.
These cars aren't even close to being safe to drive in any circumstances, especially with the amount of sport utility vehicles on the road in America. Not only are the cars unsafe, but they could be rolling on unsafe tires. Twenty-four states during the summer of 2007 recalled almost 300,000 Chinese made tires that have the same problems with tread separation that Firestone was under such heavy scrutiny for seven years ago. Firestone was checked by government pressure and by threat of lawsuit. Chinese manufacturers face no such legitimate pressure
Chinese toys have also come under scrutiny recently for the gaffes in product-checking. From an area where 70 percent of the world's toys are produced, we have seen recalls of over a million Sesame Street toys due to leadbased paint contamination . Just this past week over 800,000 Barbie accessories and Fisher Price toys were recalled again due to lead paint, and small magnets that could be swallowed by children and lead to perforated bowels. Mattel, the company who makes Barbie toys, has taken action and severed ties with the contractors in China responsible for the lead contamination.
Be the first to comment on this story