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“It won’t be long now...”

Indeed. I read the China, Inc. BYD has announced an ICE engine capable of an unheard of 49% thermal efficiency. Paired with a hybrid drivetrain it can get up to 105 MPG. Whether it actually comes to fruition is a big "We’ll See." The traditional automakers are pooping in their trousers over the prospects of competing. At some point, some government will allow China, Inc. cars to be imported because their voters are demanding cheaper cars. Period. Once that happens, the regulatory dams will slowly collapse. Where first? I’d would say the African continent.

Jim Jones
Cole County, Missouri



Not so fast, PMD.

PMD, you had me until your authorization of the Chinese auto invasion. Jimbo Farley is the latest example of Detroit's inept, clueless and dangerous leadership. His Model T moment came and went like a stale fart. Now he’s onto his next great idea. While Ford no longer makes cars, or competitive EVs. So, you honestly think that Detroit will answer the bell once Chinese cars are allowed to be sold here? Japan effectively killed the American sedan. You can still buy one, just not from Detroit. Tesla has the EV thing. Detroit spent billions chasing them only to give up. Once Chinese trucks arrive this town will cease to exist. Because our automotive leaders have NEVER responded to the challenge.

JRR
Plymouth, Michigan

Editor-in-Chief's Note: I believe Detroit does have a shot, but it will take an all-hands-on-deck effort akin to what Detroit accomplished in WWII. A tall order, indeed. -PMD



Bring it.

As recently as the 20-teens, Chinese cars were so comically derivative, dreadful, and not-ready-for-primetime that they were relegated to the corridor outside the main floor at Cobo Hall, deemed unworthy of sharing space among the smug Western brands. It seemed a generation away that they could even be in the conversation, let alone a dominant player. Buick was still considered a prestige marque in China and the Koreans had yet to rebrand and move upmarket.

In a little over ten years the Chinese have compressed the learning curve to an astonishing level, delivering world-beating product from white paper to production in as little as 18 months, reportedly.

Clearly, we have much to learn from them. To your point, letting them compete in America will spur the domestics to up their game. Bring it.

J. Heroun
Boston, Massachusetts



A giant "we'll see."

Just read your take on having China manufacturing cars here in the US and comparing what Detroit would have to do with its wonderful effort in WW2. I read a lot, and have just finished a couple books about that (the US effort in that war). The books are mainly concerned with our entire effort but what Detroit did is paramount in them, and you are right (as usual) about what will need to be done again. My main concern - Detroit is certainly capable - is the current leadership there and the general attitude of the American people, who are mainly concerned with buying a good car cheap and don't really give a shit where it's made.

If it happens, it's going to be interesting.

Ted R
Raleigh, North Carolina



AI and Ford.

Artificial Intelligence will be similar to the augmentation industrial robots add to the production floor. It will become truly dangerous if not vigorously controlled once it's coupled with working quantum computing. History will record what the world was like before . . . . and after the advent of that combination.

In the meantime, I KNOW Bill and the Ford family can afford to AI Jim Farley's office. I saw him on JAY LENO's GARAGE delivering Jay his new Mustang GTD, and Jay expressing satisfaction a 'car guy' was in charge at Ford.

My chin still hurts where it hit the floor.

J. Wilson
Nashville, Tennessee



A Fu-King miss?

We need to applaud the latest generation of innovation in Chinese automobiles. They have cars with bunny-hop suspension, unique hybrid powerplants, and can be assembled in completely automated factories. This week, they've patented a new must-have feature: an in-vehicle toilet. Housed under the driver's seat, it can be deployed via touchscreen input, or a simple voice-activation command. Yes, if you find yourself bottled up in rush-hour traffic and approaching the rear of a stopped vehicle too quickly....well, first you say it, and then you can safely do it.

What I don't know is....why this innovation did NOT originate from Messrs. Fu and King?

Dave G.
Portlandia, Oregon



We can see it coming.

Here in the Green Leafy Burbs, where folks have a garage with power, electric uptake is quite good. I see a lot of BMW and Benz e cars as well... and this is no longer a "greenie" or eco-signal buy... It is fully mass market.

Detroit is currently protected by CAFE, which dictates SUV type builds, and the Chicken Tax, which keeps small trucks out of our market. We don't get wagons or hatches... because they need to sell you a compliance "truck".

The Chinese cars look good... based on a trip to Norway recently, equal to VW or Tesla.

There are two problems - as we know, "how much is that a month" is the key sales driver for most sales. And no one will care if the build is Chinese at the end of that day. The second is that the Chinese are able to look past this quarter... so they have no problem underpricing the market, and yanking the rug after they kill off the domestic competition. When the big box hardware stores first arrived, they undersold the local hardware stores, and when the local merchants closed up, prices at the big box went up, and selection decreased. It will be the same with Chinese cars.

Casey Raskob, Esq
Green Leafy Burbs, New York City



No.

“Let the chips fall where they may”? Not so fast.

When US and European automakers wanted to establish operations in China, they were required to take on local partners (“joint ventures”) and turn over all their engineering and manufacturing IP to that entity. That was viewed as a big risk, but necessary to gain access to the giant Chines market. We know how that turned out. Chinese manufacturers were able to rapidly improve their capabilities, and eventually were able to compete on their own, and their JV partners were squeezed out. Along the way the Chinese government ensured that Chinese automakers were treated more favorably. So, IF Chinese automakers are held to that model — establish JVs, turn over all relevant IP, and allow unions a fair chance to organize their workers — then I’d say okay. Otherwise, NO.

KMC
Plymouth, Michigan