PeteM
Diamond
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2002
- Location
- West Coast, USA
Just finished reading the most recent "Economist," which had a long article on the Chinese electric vehicle industry. I'd urge a reading for anyone hoping to still be a supplier to our own auto industry a decade or two from now. Here's a link, I read a paper copy and it should still be on news stands for a day or two:
China’s plans for the electrified, autonomous and shared future of the car - It’s the system, stupid
The gist of the article was that China has targeted electric vehicles from cars to buses and is on track to dominate it. That will suck auto supply chains into China. In addition, China will make most of the world's batteries.
Now the usual no-big-deal response would be that the incumbent internal combustion-oriented industry will reign supreme for decades to come. Likely not, per the Economist. In part, perhaps, because incumbents have such a hard time disrupting themselves. Tesla might the the US champion in this, but here it's routinely dismissed. Perhaps with some cause.
I suppose the other dismissive note would be along the lines of who reads the Economist? Try to respond with facts, maybe after reading the article. I'd agree it ain't necessarily so -- but this isn't all fluff.
Our own auto industry powered the US economy (oil, vehicles, highways, highway-oriented businesses) for decades. At one point, GM had near 70% of world market share. I've personally seen our big four, no three, now two go from dominant world share to fractions of it. I suppose those in Germany might have similar concerns for VW/Audi, BMW, and Mercedes though those companies might be a bit better positioned? Nissan is struggling now, but Toyota and Honda still seem strong.
So, what's the US (and other) vehicle manufacturing future look like to those here? Will GM and Ford pick up the slack -- they seem to be edging up? Or will more and more of the world's vehicle market end up being dominated by electric vehicles in general and China in particular?
China’s plans for the electrified, autonomous and shared future of the car - It’s the system, stupid
The gist of the article was that China has targeted electric vehicles from cars to buses and is on track to dominate it. That will suck auto supply chains into China. In addition, China will make most of the world's batteries.
Now the usual no-big-deal response would be that the incumbent internal combustion-oriented industry will reign supreme for decades to come. Likely not, per the Economist. In part, perhaps, because incumbents have such a hard time disrupting themselves. Tesla might the the US champion in this, but here it's routinely dismissed. Perhaps with some cause.
I suppose the other dismissive note would be along the lines of who reads the Economist? Try to respond with facts, maybe after reading the article. I'd agree it ain't necessarily so -- but this isn't all fluff.
Our own auto industry powered the US economy (oil, vehicles, highways, highway-oriented businesses) for decades. At one point, GM had near 70% of world market share. I've personally seen our big four, no three, now two go from dominant world share to fractions of it. I suppose those in Germany might have similar concerns for VW/Audi, BMW, and Mercedes though those companies might be a bit better positioned? Nissan is struggling now, but Toyota and Honda still seem strong.
So, what's the US (and other) vehicle manufacturing future look like to those here? Will GM and Ford pick up the slack -- they seem to be edging up? Or will more and more of the world's vehicle market end up being dominated by electric vehicles in general and China in particular?