According a People's Daily report, many American consumers are accustomed to buying products made in China. Moreover, a growing number of Americans believe that Chinese-made products have progressed in terms of quality, creativity, and reputation. Some products are even competing with those made in Europe and the United States.
A well-known New York-based consumer research company, GFK Roper, recently released the results of a survey showing that products "Made in China" enjoy a good reputation among American consumers who welcome these products, and even grow to love them.
The survey looks at four product features: cost-effectiveness, quality, creativity and reputation. Of the 2,000 consumers who participated in the US survey, 26% of respondents chose Chinese products as the most cost-effective: only second to those who chose products made in the US, standing at 45%; and more than those who prefer Japanese and German-made products, accounting for 24% and 9% respectively.
In a similar survey in 1996, only 9% of American consumers who responded agreed that Chinese products are the most cost-effective products: much less than those who chose US products, standing at 56%; and those who chose Japan, at 34%. As China has been opening to the outside world and China-US economic and trade relations have continued to grow and develop, "Made in China" has strengthened its reputation among American consumers and consumer loyalty with its excellent quality and reasonable prices.
In terms of product quality, "Made in China" is by no means inferior to its competition. The survey showed that 10% of American consumers believe that Chinese products are of the best quality. Although the percentage ranks only the sixth – lower than the proportion who favors products from the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom – it is still higher than those who chose products made in France, Canada, the Nordic countries, and South Korea.
Regarding the creativity of new products, Chinese products rank third at 18%, just behind US and Japanese products which accounted for 45% and 26% respectively. Approximately 12% chose products from Germany; 8% chose those from France; and another 8% chose those from Italy. This demonstrates great progress in the R&D of Chinese enterprises.
Thanks to rapid progress, the acceptance of the "Made in China" brand has increased. The survey showed that 7% of respondents considered "Made in China" products to have the highest brand acceptance. Although lower than the proportion of US-made, German and other European products, it is still higher than that of Canada, South Korea, and all other developing countries.
The senior vice president of GFK Roper believes that the survey results reflect rapid progress in Chinese products; and she expects that this trend will continue in the near future. Products "Made in China" will enjoy an enhanced reputation.
She also pointed out that since many parts of Chinese products also come from other countries or regions around the world, the popularity of "Made in China" products also reflects the results of and China's achievements in opening to the outside world.
