China Builds A Lot Of Cars

China has surpassed the USA in automobile production.

In 2008, China surpassed the United States to become the world's second largest auto-making nation, and in 2009 is set to displace Japan as the planet's largest car producer, according to iSuppli Corp.

Last year, China manufactured 9.3 million cars, while the United States built 8.7 million. In 2009, China will build 8.7 million autos, compared to 7.6 million for Japan.

"China's rise to the No. 2 position in global car manufacturing in 2008 marks a major milestone in China's economic ascendency and the United States' industrial decline," said Egil Juliussen, director and fellow of automotive research for iSuppli. "China during the last five years more than doubled its domestic automobile production, while U.S. manufacturing has declined by nearly 50 percent. China, which produces most of its cars for domestic sale, has benefited from its booming economy and the soaring disposable incomes of its consumers. Meanwhile, U.S. auto production has been declining steadily due to increasing imports from the NAFTA nations Canada and Mexico, as well as from Europe and Asia."

In America we have an excellent way of reducing car production. We have government mandates for things like airbags. And guess what - you can get 95% of the safety effect of airbags with seat belts at a cost of $10 per passenger. For a cost of around $500 to $1,000 per passenger you get the slight added protection of air bags which don't work properly if you are not wearing your seat belt.

Cross Posted at Power and Control

posted by Simon on 04.03.09 at 03:17 AM





TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://classicalvalues.com/cgi-bin/pings.cgi/8128






Comments

They are a long way behind when it comes to regulations concerning safety and environment.
Government regulations can kill anything!!
What/who will be the next victim??

Hugh   ·  April 3, 2009 09:04 AM

Those that point out the decline of US auto builds compared to China miss a point. In the US a good number of families have more than one car. We have three, and most of my neighbors have more. In China most families don't have one, let alone 2 or more. The costs involved in licensing a car in China can cost more than the car itself. And there are not parking garages or even garages. I do agree that China is THE emerging econmic power. Thats history.

LYNNDH   ·  April 3, 2009 05:49 PM

I am not convinced of the utility of air bags. I believe there's statistical evidence showing the more 'safe' an auto is considered, the more likely it is to be driven in an unsafe manner... plus, I've never really liked the idea of an explosive charge in the middle of my steering wheel aimed at my face, primed to go off if I hit something.

JLawson   ·  April 6, 2009 05:16 PM

May 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            

ANCIENT (AND MODERN)
WORLD-WIDE CALENDAR


Search the Site


E-mail



Classics To Go

Classical Values PDA Link



Archives



Recent Entries



Links



Site Credits