We have a paradigm that all manufacturing will go to China and we are faced with the “reality” of managing complex supply chains with long lead times. Could it be that sound strategy coupled with rigorous total landed cost analysis leads to supply chains that support customers in local markets?

Follow the leaders like Honda and Toyota. Don’t follow the losers…

Detroit - 5/17/06: Japan's Honda Motor Co., on a push to expand its sales of fuel-efficient cars in the United States, said it would spend $400 million to build a sixth North American assembly plant, creating 1,500 jobs. Further, Honda said it would build a new family-size hybrid electric car to go on sale in 2009.

Honda did not disclose where it would build the North American factory. It has two plants in Ohio and one each in Alabama, Mexico and Ontario, Canada. The plant would make 200,000 cars a year.

Tokyo - 5/17/06: Honda President Takeo Fakui said the company would spend $639 million to build its first new plant in Japan since 1976 and $140 million on an engine plant in Canada.