I remember reading a book about the auto industry in the late 80s, and it described the typical German car factory: There was a large re-work area at the end of the assembly line, where skilled technicians discovered and repaired defects. This was better than sending out defective cars, but it did not catch latent defects or correct those defects through better design.

I think different countries acquired their own stereotypes early in the industrial age: German perfectionism, Swiss precision, Italian style, American ingenuity, etc. Those ideas continue to be marketed after they have ceased to be relevant, at least to the original degree.

And granted, I know nothing about luxury / sports cars.