Topic: Manufacturing question

[SMC4WD]

I was typing a response on that wheel thread, and I was adding this topic to that one.  Well, it got me thinking that this topic deserves its own topic, and didn't need to be added on...

Ok...  this is only my opinion, but my thoughts are bulletin board questions/ideas...

Here's my thoughts.  Many, many years ago I had heard that they've (whoever they are) invented tires that never wear out.  However, tire manufacturers put a huge stop on this because they felt that they'd never sell tires again.  
That's the same for almost everything in this world.  If it's made with the quality and strength to last a lifetime, manufacturers would sell their products once, and never again.  
Personally, that's a stupid philosophy.  There's enough people in this world to keep a good, strong long-lasting product and product manufacturer’s in business for ever.  But that philosophy isn't the way the washer/dryer guys, home appliances, or the car manufacturers think.

What do you think?  Is it smart from a manufacturers end to build something that isn’t supposed to last?  
Don’t think the obvious here…  Not “What do you want to see?”  but what do you think??

[Jeffy]

Something that's built to last forever doesn't mean it would it would be perfect for everyone.  To prevent the tire from wearing under normal use the tire compund would have to be very hard.  Think about how you get traction.  Ever drive with an over inflated tire with a empty load?  Imagine a situation where you need to air down.

The newest inovation to come out of the tire industry is probably Michelin's TWEEL. It's an airless tire design.  I douby it will see much use in the consumer automotive market.  Perhaps as a spare.  There are more uses for other vehicles though.

[Craigs_YJ]

Why make something last forever? How will you attain repeate buisness? If you make something that lasts forever people will only have to buy the product once... then never again. From a buisness perspective your hardly making any money at all.

Take sorel Winter boots for example, Under the sorel name they made awoesome winter boots that outlasted any winter boot on the market, a High compound rubber combined with PVC uppers and reinforced stitching made for a good boot,  Now that they have been bought out by Columbia Sportswear, the Product has drastically changed, manufacturing methods and durability has drastically dropped. yet the price has stayed the same.

Prospector shoe Co. used to Guarentee their soles for life..... they went bankrupt.....

If you make a prodduct that people NEED and "cannot live without" not physically live, but need as consumers, why make it last forever when they're willing to buy it again?

Vehicles, Jap cars can afford to use higher quality parts because their labour is drastically cheaper, N.A manufacturers pay through the nose for labour, so they use cheaper parts to cut costs down.

Make the most now, that seem to be the mentality of the modern manufacturers.