Thnaks for the report, Mike.

Maybe only the box is made in China???

Adiran :Maybe even just the little sticker that says made in China!!!!!!!!!!

I dont mind too much if some parts come from China and are checked and assembled by Marklin if this helps costs but I would not like my complete loco made other than by Marklin. In the past we have taken German engineering to be top class but looking at other products, cars for example, other countries appear to be overtaking them.

David

Hi: I'm sure you are aware of the fact that, at least in the US, almost all toys are now made in China. There was a time when only rather low-end toys were made there, but now essentially all toys in the US are Chinese. This seems to be due to many very large-scale forces, and what we are seeing with Märklin is those forces being exerted on a formerly isolated island in the toy world. I'm not saying I happy to see it-I am not, but I think that it is inevitable. This will most likely help Märklin remain in business, but it will invariably impact our perception of the company and its products. I will be happy to have Märklin around, but if their quality degrades, I am not sure what I will really end up doing.

BTW, this summer there were massive recalls of items manufactured in China, especially toys. A major concern was the safety of the products. With toys, this was often the discovery that lead-based paints were used. So, another issue that we really never think about with our trains is whether it is safe to let our kids handle them. I hope this never becomes an issue. Another thing to remember is that this stain on Chinese-made toys has invigorated interest in toys made in the US and Europe. This actually may a be a good thing for Märklin to try to capitalize on with what remains produced in Europe.--MM

The report doesn't talk about items, which you incorrectly relate to "finished products" - it clearly says "components".



New items you buy today say "Märklin, Stuttgarter Strasse 55-57, D-73033 Göppingen". Nothing else is required or important!

Hello Lutz,

I am amazed how easy it is to make Customers think (by calling some items components)that the items purchased are still made in Germany ( or any other Country).
Here is a list of some of the components you are thinking of.

Made in CHINA Marklin # 36812,36822,36824,43311,43313,43315,46451,46558,48292 all the Die cast Cars which are as loads on the Autoplant freight cars these are all Items new for 2007 and there is many more.

While I do not object to Items made in China it bothered me that Marklin is not truthfull.

We in North America know where things are made because Customs demands that a Sticker be placed on every Box (Cars Locomotives etc) of the Country of origin.

This is not the case in Europe ( Your Salami could be made in Russia and you would never know).

Martin

Hey, get used to it. Quote from Financial Times, courtesy of Mike:

That all sounds sensible to me, if not brilliant!
I would like to continue to be able to buy Marklin. Mr Dietz apparently wants me to, as well. His job depends on it.

My local paper only the other day said that Germany was the BIGGEST exporting country in the world, (which is something I did not know incidentally), until YESTERDAY, when China surpassed it!!
Sydney Morning Herald - Oct 27, "China has surged ahead of Germany for the first time to become the world's top exporter .... data from the World Trade Organisation ..... up 55% from a year earlier ... boasting 8% of global exports..."

Now Marklin is only a tiny indicator of what has happened. And we have not even seen Chinese cars yet!! So long as Marklin appeals to my desire for <u>well designed, thoroughly tested</u> (my underlining) products, that run without mishap, I will be happy. May Marklin long continue as the "prince" of model trains.

regards
Kimball

Classic Chinese shoes like these are now produced cheaper in India, and then exported to China.




Per.