Chinese hybrids a big threat to America?
A mini minivan: As big as a Chinese hybrid gets?A blogger from China sent me his list of top ten Chinese EVs and hybrid vehicles, and the size of these vehicles really caught my attention. Most are very small, unlike most American hybrids - most of which are SUVs.
Thus far, not one US automaker has yet taken on the Toyota Prius, or even the Honda Insight, and doing so might still be several years away. In fact, the Chinese might be just as close as the Big 3 to a quality Prius-contender.
Soon, I have no doubt that Chinese automakers will be rolling out hundreds of thousands of hybrid cars for China, but refining these vehicles for the American market will take more time. Nonetheless, China seems quite primed to quickly enter the US market. And, since CAFE will require small, efficient, but expensive vehicles, China's cheap manufacturing capabilities might be the key to success, as well as another major threat to US automaker viability.
Labels: China, honda insight hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:33 AM
6 Comments:
A good product at a reasonable price... Ain't capitalism a bitch? How ironic that China is better at it than us.
It doesn't really bother me. Still, it makes we wonder if we aren't over-inflating the importance of the US auto industry. Perhaps we should convert our auto workers into windmill makers or something.
I kind of think I'd rather be investing in silicon valley companies - companies that make a profit and have 20 year R&D horizons - rather than automakers that have a quarterly time horizon and no history of north american profits in more than a decade.
Yea problem is thousands of auto workers here are over 35 yrs old and they would have to retrain in entirely new field(solar/wind).
I can promise you that the average Chinese worker will retrain for as many as 3 totally different careers with no complaints and at half the wages. No democracy, no 'individuals' allowed, jail time if you even mutter the word 'workers right's'.
Yes their products will be cheaper and as good as they are in USA - and they will be here Ill wager in the year 2010.
I dont know what Americans will build ( besides weapons to kill others)...that WILL sell anywhere else ????? Can anyone think of anything thats made with American workers, that any other country wants to buy at the price we offer it at ?? Im sure there is something I just dont know what offhand ......oh I got it , the Republican Party members!! hehe
"I dont know what Americans will build ( besides weapons to kill others)...that WILL sell anywhere else ?????"
That's an interesting point, at least in terms of the auto industry. Our vehicles our so out of touch with reality in most of the rest of the world except for the wealthy.
Still, I think Americans have developed much great technology that, unfortunately, is just cheaper to mass-produce in other places. Perhaps that's our role in the world economy, innovator. ( I sure hope it doesn't continue to be or need to be world policeman!)
I'm not sure that Republicans count as a manufactured product, but that was pretty funny. Still, I don't hate Republicans. I think most politicians are up for sale regardless of party. Still, considering the crappy ideas now pushing much of the Republican party, why would anyone want to buy one?
Wow, I had no idea China was investing so incredibly much in EV vehicles. It makes Tesla look like a rich man's toy.
Now I understand why dahc keeps talking about China and BYD. BYD is just the tip of the iceberg of what looks like a dozen Chinese car companies trying to build EVs. Really impressive.
If only one of those companies hits upon a breakthrough business model, technology innovation, design, what have you, Chinese cars can own the EV market. This is very interesting.
and then there is today's story of a possible partnership between BYD and VW.
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