Country of origin

[fuelconsumption]

FYI, the country of manufacture for the major 4WDs

Toyota Prado: Japan
Mitsubishi Pajero: Japan
Nissan Pathfinder: Spain
Mitsubishi Challenger: Thailand

That would largely explain why the Prado and Pajero are significantly more expensive than the Pathfinder and Challenger.

It may (or may not) also explain why, for example, the black chassis paint on the Challenger appears inferior to the Pajero - see separate thread on this re chassis rust.

However, my Honda Jazz is also made in Thailand, and I don't personally have a problem with that re quality. For the most part, I suspect the only difference between 'Made in Japan' and 'Made in Thailand', is that labour costs are very high in Japan, so those chosing to buy a Pajero or Prado pay more accordingly. Personally, I'd rather have the extra money in my pocket

[Challenged2010]

FYI, the country of manufacture for the major 4WDs

Toyota Prado: Japan
Mitsubishi Pajero: Japan
Nissan Pathfinder: Spain
Mitsubishi Challenger: Thailand

That would largely explain why the Prado and Pajero are significantly more expensive than the Pathfinder and Challenger.

It may (or may not) also explain why, for example, the black chassis paint on the Challenger appears inferior to the Pajero - see separate thread on this re chassis rust.

However, my Honda Jazz is also made in Thailand, and I don't personally have a problem with that re quality. For the most part, I suspect the only difference between 'Made in Japan' and 'Made in Thailand', is that labour costs are very high in Japan, so those chosing to buy a Pajero or Prado pay more accordingly. Personally, I'd rather have the extra money in my pocket

Wouldn't explain the Pathfinder though. Being made in Spain it should have a higher price tag, as Spain has almost the highest labour price in the Eurozone.

[Stevie-Ray]

Wouldn't explain the Pathfinder though. Being made in Spain it should have a higher price tag, as Spain has almost the highest labour price in the Eurozone.

Would've thought Germany would be the highest, then UK, not Spain?

Steve

[Marty V]

FYI, the country of manufacture for the major 4WDs

Toyota Prado: Japan
Mitsubishi Pajero: Japan
Nissan Pathfinder: Spain
Mitsubishi Challenger: Thailand

That would largely explain why the Prado and Pajero are significantly more expensive than the Pathfinder and Challenger.

It may (or may not) also explain why, for example, the black chassis paint on the Challenger appears inferior to the Pajero - see separate thread on this re chassis rust.

However, my Honda Jazz is also made in Thailand, and I don't personally have a problem with that re quality. For the most part, I suspect the only difference between 'Made in Japan' and 'Made in Thailand', is that labour costs are very high in Japan, so those chosing to buy a Pajero or Prado pay more accordingly. Personally, I'd rather have the extra money in my pocket

The Pajero doesnt have a ladder chassis like the Challenger because its a monocoque... perhaps you're refering to suspension components which are bolted to the body rather than the ladder chassis as with the Challenger...

[900canoes]

.... or, he could simply be referring to the paint?

[Challenged2010]

Would've thought Germany would be the highest, then UK, not Spain?

Steve

Nope - Spain. That's why it's one of the countries going down the gurgler.....

[fuelconsumption]

The Pajero doesnt have a ladder chassis like the Challenger because its a monocoque... perhaps you're refering to suspension components which are bolted to the body rather than the ladder chassis as with the Challenger...

My comments were intended to be very general. I could be referring to any Japanese-built 4WD, such as an older Pajero (like mine) with separate chassis, or a Prado - you just don't expect to see the black chassis paint peeling off a vehicle that is actually made in Japan, and I wondered if this apparent issue with the Challenger was related to it being MUCH cheaper and made in Thailand. We will never know, but it is possible.

I also considered buying a (relatively cheap) new Nissan Pathfinder, but looking around on the net I found way too many reports of systemic faults, such as clutch problems, breaking doorhandles etc. However, despite the low cost, and despite searching extensively I was not able to find any systemic problems with the Challenger, and I liked the design of the vehicle and the cargo space, so I have ordered one.

Mostly, I thought it might be of general interest to see the country of manufacture of the most common 4WDs. Feel free to make of that information what you like.

[fuelconsumption]

(Re high labour costs) Nope - Spain. That's why it's one of the countries going down the gurgler.....

Yes, I believe that is right, and is but one of many examples that shows why the concept of a unified European currency is flawed. If Spain had it's own currency, then it's value would have fallen with the (lack of) economic performance of the country, and everything would have sorted itself out.

However, I can only presume that Nissan found it cheaper to manufacture cars there compared to in Japan, at least in the past when they set up factories there, or they would not have done so.