[loonster]

I've done work for a well known euro car maker, and they had several of the brackets interfering in CAD. This could have been avoided with a simple collision check that they should have done. After informing them of the errors, they fixed the print with a -/- tolerance and left the 3d model interfering.

All of the domestic car manufacturers took great care to ensure clearance between parts.

(I'm a Toyota fanboy but have never done work for them.)

[scrooched_moose]

I don't have any automotive experience but that largely squares with what I hear through the grapevine in the Auto industry.

In the heavy machinery industry which Deere opporates it's mostly the opposite. Kubota, Agco, Bosch etc. are miles ahead of Deere and Caterpillar; who are largely relying on past reputation at this point.