how is it that the germans make such great cars and the americans make such bad cars with the same high labour?

Actually German cars are known for the unreliability. More unreliable than American cars. I have friends who babied their bmws Audis especially vws and they have constant engine problems with expensive parts. According to statistics, German cars are the most unreliable especially Volkswagen and Audi. My mechanic teacher told me he always works on german cars the most cause of the constant problems. My step dsd had a Mercedes but got rid of it cause of the constant engine problems he had even though he babied it.

I don't know where you acquired this idea, but from my own experience I've had very good service from American made cars. Most have gone over 200,000 mile with only the manufacturer's recommended maintenance.

I'd be inclined to disagree with you. as a mechanic I'd prefer an American made vehicle over a German one any day,

There are sh1ty German cars just like there are great American cars. Why do you think they lost WWI and WWII?

How cannt they both make cars loke the japanese ?