As my late father once put it:

The Germans Engineer it
The Japanese Improve It
The Americans Market It
The British Botch It (The Sterling [Acura] comes to mind)

And my addition:

The Chinese Now Mass Produce It (Usually for Wally-World)
--
Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
**********************************
On 12/16/06, Ronald Michaels <rbm1024@netscape.net> wrote:
>
> This is a very interesting paper.
>
> The most important innovation got one sentence.  The access ports allow
> the
> pistons to be installed after the block is assembled.  This means no
> assembly joint between the block and cylinders.  Every other boxer engine
> I
> have seen has a joint between block and cylinders.
>
> This one little innovation is the key to the Subaru engine.  It allows a
> monolytic block and requires slipper pistons.  Fewer assembly joints means
> fewer leaks.  Lower parts count and ease of assembly means lower sale
> price.