Category Archives: Auto industry

What Americans Can Learn from London’s War on Cars

To what degree can the US clap down on cars by implementing measures used successfully in London?

Iran War: Peak Chaos as Trump Announces “Humanitarian” Convoy to Enter Strait to Free Trapped Ships, Soon Walked Back by Officialdom; Negotiations Reported as Collapsing as Iran Toughens Position; UAE Enters War

Today’s Iran war news: Trump carries on with his signature chaos-making, but not necessarily to his advantage.

The Licensing Revolution: Is Resistance to the End of Ownership Futile?

Increased incorporation of software into consumer products like cars means licensing is eroding privacy and ownership.

What’s Cheaper: Fueling Your Car With Gas or Electricity?

A comparison on EV charging expenses state by state in the US. Any similar data in other countries based on recent electricity costs?

The Economist Wrecks Its Limited Credibility in Article on Dark Factories That Ignores That China Already Has a Lot of Them

Time to stop reading The Economist. A story that looks like dark factory denialism completely discredits the magazine.

How China’s Overinvestment Helped Produce Africa’s Deindustrialization

An in-depth article from a leftist vantage on China’s extensive involvement in Africa finds that it has been a net negative for development

Car Industry Woes Intensify as US Consumers Refuse to Eat the Dog Food, China Suffers from Overcapacity

The car industry is in a world of hurt, and that has significant economic and societal implications.

Chasing Down Old Nazis in New York Court: Suit Against Volkswagen Controlling Shareholders and Key Managers Over Massive Clean Diesel Fraud

A running battle in New York sees to hold Volkswagen controlling shareholders and key execs accountable for the flagrant “dieselgate” scam

U.S. Automakers Navigate Rising Metal Costs and Supply Woes

Beleagured US automakers, who remain important employers, face new tsuris in tariff costs and scarcity of key minerals.

The China Shock Hits Germany

How China was hollowing out Germany’s manufacturers before the loss of cheap Russian energy made matters worse.

Unexpected China Factory Contraction Confirms Deflationary Headwinds, Overcapacity

China’s leaders admit to widespread overcapacity, such as in EVs and solar panels. Faillure to solve it could generate Japan-style deflation

China’s Rare Earths Weapon Could Kill Europe’s Auto Industry

More on US and European car-makers’ vulnerability to China’s new rare earths licensing regime.

Like China, a Mexico Tariffs Own Goal: US Dependence on Mexico Energy Trade Means “Those Tariffs Never Stood a Chance”?

More evidence of Trump cluelessness in his Mexico and China tariffs bobs and weaves.

China Is on Its Way to Becoming World’s First ‘Electrostate’

The implications of China leading in the proportion of electricity its energy use and pursuing even more electrification.

“The US Trade Deal Is a Bad Deal, and It Has the Potential to Get Worse”

The first US trade “deal”, with the UK, looks as ugly as one might have expected.