[This posting was my response to friends' emails complaining about their local cars, and which was well received]
The Japanese, when we study both history and the Sunnah, are the other part of the Ya'juj & Ma'juj (or Yakjuj & Makjuj, in English Gog & Magog). They are the Ma'juj together with their ancient cousins the Mongols, the Northern Chinese and even south to the Thais. These Mongoloid Ma'juj, like their Euro-Aryan Ya'juj counterparts (see how the names' first sounds each rhyme), can be very aggressive, warlike and colonialistic - jangan lupa kekejaman Jepun masa Perang Dunia Kedua. Yet also very scientifically curious and persevering, and this aspect we must emulate.
But God does not condemn the Ya'juj & Ma'juj outright because they also have the potential to be wonderful Muslims, like Genghis Khan's descendants who became the great Muslim Shahs and Sultans of the Persian and northern Indian regions (the Ilkhanids, the Mughals). Similar to the imperialist Europeans, those who become Muslims then turn into strong benefactors of Islam.
Note that the Southern Chinese whom we have in Malaysia are genetically different from the Ma'juj Northern Chinese; southerners are less aggressive or imperialistic; (note how few Southern Chinese have ever been ruthless Emperors). That's why we can live fairly well with our local Chinese. The few who are belligerent and conquerant-like are actually northern, Ma'juj.
By extension, there's your answer to Japanese cars. Some 30-40 years ago, the Japanese endured cheap flimsy cars as they aggressively built up their experience and quality to where they are now. But we Malays only cepat kutuk dan nak cepat kaya - we want instant gratification without going through the learning curve. Give ourselves a chance:- Mercedes, GM or Toyota have been around for, like a century. We need support to catch up. If we are unhappy, complain directly to Proton and the relevant authorities who can help. Not dengki mencaci mencela to all and sunder that is the Malay habit. Macam tu sampai bila tak maju.
Let's grow up. -nadge-