Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/12/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Frank, I think it would be a mistake consider Portugal as third world, but as far as I know labour cost is lower than in Spain, and Spain is lower than Germany, I think that in the 80's when Leitz was producing in Portugal the differences was more than today. Saludos cordiales Lluis El 20/12/2008, a las 18:52, Frank Dernie escribi?: > Aren't a lot of the sub-assemblies in Leicas still made in Portugal? > Mind you, Portugal is probably not very much cheaper for labour than > Germany any more. > Frank > > On 20 Dec, 2008, at 00:52, Lawrence Zeitlin wrote: > >> >> On Dec 19, 2008, at 3:04 PM, A. Lal wrote: >> >>> Alternatively, the current Leica company could set up its own >>> manufacturing >>> facilities in a low-cost country, while maintaining current QC >>> standards. >>> >>> As I see it, Leica may be trying to follow the example the Swiss >>> watch >>> industry which has not been price sensitive in the recent past. I >>> do not >>> believe this strategy will work. Leica need to find a way to >>> reduce prices >>> significantly while retaining quality. >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Lawrence Zeitlin" <lrzeitlin@optonline.net> >>> To: <lug@leica-users.org> >>> Cc: "Lawrence Zeitlin" <lrzeitlin@optonline.net> >>> Sent: Friday, 19 December, 2008 2:29 PM >>> Subject: [Leica] Re: Unbelievable >>> >>> >>>> If Leica couldn't find an overwhelming sympathetic audience in >>>> the LUG, >>>> it is unlikely to do so in the general camera using population. >>>> Leica's >>>> plight is similar. on a much smaller scale, to that of the U.S. >>>> auto >>>> industry. Their best bet might be to ask for a bailout or bridge >>>> loan >>>> from the German government and, if they can't return to >>>> profitability >>>> within six months, file for bankruptcy. Their best strategy >>>> might be to >>>> sell the Leica name, patents, and manufacturing rights to one of >>>> the >>>> Japanese camera giants. The precedent has been set by Contax, >>>> Voightlander, and scores of others. Then perhaps we might have >>>> affordable >>>> Leica cameras, although a bit plasticky. >>>> >>>> Larry Z >> >> >> An interesting point. My Olympus E-Volt 500 DSLR was made in China >> and is up to the high standards of film Olympii made in Japan. The >> cost in constant dollars is about half that of the film model. >> There are some production shortcuts to be sure. The body is largely >> polycarbonate plastic although there is a metal frame inside. Leica >> could do the same, and in fact, has supported non-German production >> in the past. The CL was made in Japan, some Leica SLRs were made in >> Portugal, and lenses and Leica LTMs were made in Canada. How much >> of a stretch would it be to have a Leica made in Singapore, Mexico >> or Taiwan? OK, so it wouldn't be a German Leica. Big deal. As long >> as it takes good pictures and accepts Leica lenses, I'll be >> satisfied. To my mind Leica started its deviation from the true >> faith when they started making SLRs. Leica's only redeeming virtue >> was the Leica glass. And the lenses can be used on other cameras >> including the Minolta CLs, the RD-1 and the Bessas. Better act fast >> Leica. The much less expensive Panasonic 4/3 G-1 is on your tail. >> Better a Leica in production than a Leica in memory, even if die >> hards insist that it not a true "Leica." >> >> What is the German equivalent of Chapter 11? >> >> Larry Z >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information