It's not about manufacturing capability...it's about management decisions. No doubt there are Chinese managers who haven't gotten the message the Japanese got, but...then there are those who not only got the message but are producing superior products.I was speaking with an engineer for a helicopter company just the other day about Chinese manufacturing. They can't afford to even consider buying Chinese aluminum parts. There is no telling what will show up after they order it. And IME, no product is immune no matter how many lives depend on it.
If your old company wanted to move it's production to China, they could definitely find someone to sign off on those changes. People may die, but at least they're a world away. Congress isn't going to haul in a Chinese plant owner to testify.
But, I do agree that American management is what brought this on. They wanted Cheaper, and that's what China was good at. They just had no idea how cheap it could be made. Some learned, some went out of business. The Chinese unanimously benefited.
Both my Toyota and Lexus were built in the USA. I'll be damned if I ever buy a Chinese car.
BTW your Toyota and Lexus were designed in Japan. I expect they are produced in America because Japanese labor has increased substantially in cost and it's cheaper not to have to ship a car half way around the world.. Just my guess.