This link is really a non-link because it represents the table of contents to a rather overlarge document on the statistics of automotive usage in China.
Perhaps after you buy it you could send in a precis.
(PDF) Automobiles in China
More Publication about China's Automotive Industry
As in all things there is a backlash on the world stage. I don't endorse backlashes because they tend to ignore the sanctity of life and all that jazz. The backlash can be seen now in the democratic national ballot. Actually, it's a backlash of a backlash. The grave economic conditions in the US after September 11th, 2001 have created a campaign platform dependent on economic finger pointing. The real menace (in my not so humble opinion) is outsourcing to the exclusion of domestic jobs on a scale never before seen. Michael Moore and I are probably in total agreement.
Now that the Chinese are full members of the World Trade Organization we can openly criticize their market activities. Roughly 7 per cent of Beijing's annual budget is given over to clean air programs. The Chinese economy has experienced 10 per cent growth on average for more than ten years running.
What if the Chinese decided to design their own cars? Asia's largest nation is the benefactor of unparalelled trade liberalization. It isn't likely design will be given over by such powerful entities as General Motors.
Some differences are present in the design of similar models. Buick Century, a GM product, has a higher quality back seat included in its Chinese design. This difference between North American models reflects cultural attitudes toward vehicle usage. Chinese drivers carry passengers with greater frequency than their North American peers.
Perhaps 20 years ago it would have been possible to request the Chinese government to slow its economic growth and seize foreign owned and operated manufacturing operations. They may have been convinced to protect culture and environment together along with food security.
Today the Chinese are more dependant on oil than any other nation in the world. Today the Chinese do not control the design of their automobiles. Today the Chinese must accept genetically modifed (GM) rice into the food supply to protect against malnutrition. Golden Rice is perhaps THE trojan horse of the biotechnology industry and proponents of this industry's complete acceptance.
Today the Chinese understand the value of culture as a marketable commodity as in such groundbreaking films such as "Big Shot's Funeral" starring Canadian actor Donald Sutherland.
Today is another day. Tomorrow is yesterday if you haven't done it before.
-- making sense of the world is not possible --
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