I thought we believed in capitalism here in Murrica, don’t we? May the best cars (“best” being defined as “suitable to the market”) win, no?
Suggested by Michael Smith
This comment is at least seasoned with a little bit of sarcasm, but it’s increasingly clear that the U.S. government is actively picking winners and losers. We haven’t ever had a truly free market, but it’s becoming less free by the day.
Terminal-stage capitalism symptoms.
I honestly don’t see how American automakers survive this without partnering with Chinese automakers (like they are already doing). I live in a de-facto U.S. protectorate, and if most of the Geely, SAIC, BYD and Dongfeng products overwhelming our streets make it past 3 years here without major issues, there will be no American car (or European, Japanese, Korean, etc) market share to talk about.
The more the U.S. waits, the more difficult it will be for traditional automakers to survive. Or maybe they continue to choose protectionism over the long run to ensure the original (?) Three survive. Truth now is U.S. made cars make very little sense in the Global South. Most “American” cars here are really made in Mexico 😆
Do not be afraid of China. China is ruled and driven by Workers, not oligarchs, despite what CIA, Mossad and the ruling Epstein-class say and have all others parrot around. Every time you hear slander towards China, communism and socialism, there is a terrified oligarch mobster paying for it.
Suggested by Ideas Nuevas
Three years is really all the American consumer needs from a car before they trade it in for the next new thing and roll their negative equity into the next car.
Americans always hear politicians refer to our ‘free market’ credentials, but successive administrations have effectively blocked importation of inexpensive Chinese vehicles. The US gov’t enacts rules, regulations and tariffs to effectively create a protectionist and captive market for the Big Three, Japanese, Korean and Euro brands. But does the average American benefit in any way as new car prices hover around $50K, and used around $27K?
The strange thing about this is that the Chinese are working the ‘free market’ and expanding market share globally. Their cars have increased in quality and people want them. Granted, their gov’t subsidizes their auto industry, but historically, we’ve done the same, so that point is moot.
Bottom line… I would certainly allow Chinese vehicles to be sold in the US, but it would put a serious hurt on US auto manufacturers.
Suggested by Darren Rosenbaum
Perhaps it’s a little ironic that the 2009 auto industry bailout was intended to see American automakers invest in their future competitiveness, building new infrastructure for hybrid and electric vehicles. Unfortunately, the American way dictates that corporations only look three months into the future at a time, and that capital has to be reserved for stock buybacks.
If you want good American cars, good Chinese cars in direct competition are the best way to make that happen. Otherwise, American manufacturers have little incentive to improve/innovate.
Suggested by Cax
Yeah, it really does go against the American way to build higher quality and innovative products simply because your customers deserve better. Why improve when you can rest on your laurels?
A rising tide lifts all ships.
Republicans (pre-MAGA) claim to the party of free markets. I have not ridden in a Chinese car, but I have seen plenty all over Europe. They look great, and I’m jealous.
In the US, we are stuck with bloated, expensive, inefficient trucks and SUVs by a dwindling number of “domestic” manufacturers, all of whom receive big government bailouts every few years to stay in business because of poor business models.
Bring in the Chinese, it’ll force the big three to deliver more competitive, efficient, and innovates models.
It really is only a matter of time anyway.
Suggested by Dan123
You are far more optimistic than I am. Americans have been conditioned to be such price-conscious consumers that I fear it will be a bloodbath. As you will see in the next group of answers, the only fight American car buyers can put up against Chinese cars are jingoism and propaganda.
