I was at my local hobby store spending my Christmas money and came across these sets....
I knew this is the future, trend for most manufacturing, and that quality will probably be as good as Marklin from Europe, but this sort of wrecked my day.....I will try to learn more about Marklin made in CHINA.
I guess this has been going on since its initial sale or its bankruptsy to maximize profits for the new owners.

I really wonder about the quality ,dependability and collectabilty of these models

Hi Pete.
I wonder if most of the locos that I hear are dying were the ones made there or not
Yes, I will Google and search more...but these are the first sets that I have seen with a made in China label.
Thanks for the reply,
Mike

I've noticed this also. I assume it has to do with recovering from bankruptcy. I would certainly rather have Marklin items made in China than none at all. I do like German models, and I have several made in Hungry (including a lot of track) that seem to be just as good as the German made stuff. This year for Christmas I got a Kittle rail car (37256) and Kof (36826) locomotive. Both of these models were made in China, I believe the first I have. While I cannot speak to durability as time is too short, the initial quality seems to be just as good as the stuff from Germany/Hungry. Looking at them I would not know where they are made. The operation seems to be fine too, but of course only running for a short time since Christmas. I just got an order of new K track, all of which I received was made in Hungry. I also recently got a V200 "old red" (because I see a V200 is required of Marklin owners ) 30210. It has a retro box and no manf. sticker on the outside, but I believe it was made in Germany.

I certainly don't want to start a debate, but I think long term in general the analog models will probably outlast the digital, as if the digital controllers fail they may be harder to replace in the future (analog is just simple electronics). Of course digital has a lot of benefits. I am not saying one is better than the other, just a hunch of what may happen in the future.

I have read at least one other discussion on this forum about the subject, searching may give more insight.

From what I've understood laws in the US are quite strict when it comes to indicating origin. That would mean that even if the wagons are assembled in Gyor, but from parts made in for instance China, Hungary, Germany and perhaps even other countries, but the largest or most valuable parts come from China, then Märklin may have chosen to put the Made in China sticker there instead of a "short story" about various places of origin.

I don't know if you have any Roco models, but on the ones I have got recently it is only stated Made in EU and this supposedly has to do with the fact that Roco produce parts for their models in Austria, Slovakia and Romania and components may come from yet other countries.

No worries about bringing it up again, it's an ongoing issue that is the result of the constant profit maximizing efforts of companies who produce goods... If you can produce cheaper, it's a tempting option... It may backfire, though...

I myself am happy about the plan to move M production back to Europe, even if I must admit that especially the later steam locos (made in China?) have been exceptionally good regarding details and looks...

Unfortunately, outsourcing production does deteriorate the common "brand quality" feel of a "traditional" product as Märklin model trains are... Especially among those customers who are loyal to a brand known for quality through the years...

When the short sighted quarterly result bean counters get to rule, all real basic company values and common sense are thrown out through the nearest window and long term plans are forgotten... Really scary...

I am not sure where these new steam locos were made but I do agree with you about their high quality appearance, materials and detailing. They are great not only to watch on a layout but to hold in the hand..the details even stay on the loco and appear not to be plastic..very sturdy like "the old stuff".
On the other end of the spectrum, is something like the 37787 Velaro Sapsam which to me is great to watch zipping around a track, butwhen holding the loco, feels like a late 70's TYCO product
(Definitely not a knock on Mantua products which I am a fan).

They are transferring some (but not all) production from China to Europe, so USA M* fans may find those China stickers also on 2012 new items.

Märklin TV showed how the new Italian V 200 was printed in Germany, but finally assembled in Győr.

And ironically enough, the printing is my complaint on that model :( admittedly a difficult scheme, but you can see layers underneath the striping in a few spots, and overall noticably sub-par for a $400+ loco....

You should ask for a change of your model..I have seen closely those models, I didn't notice any "layers" ...However next time I 'll try again....Could you tell me on which spots ?

The crumbling C track was made 2001 and earlier - those were all marked "Made in Germany". The plasticiser evaporated and the track beds became brittle. I don't think that China was involved.

Was anybody making fun of them in this thread?

How much education does it take to work in an assembly line? In Germany this kind of work is often done by non-native Germans - and those are normally better educated than the Germans that make the same job.