The US performed the learning curve for mass producing quality from he 20s-60s. Japan then took it to the next level in the 70-90s (thanks in large part to Deming). At that point the recipe was there, and it was easy for Kia and Hyundai to follow it and join in the fun. That’s exactly what they did. Harbor Freight did the same thing in the tool world. They started dirt cheap, built a customer base, drove some competition out and now price and quality are rising.