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https://theconversation.com/20-years-ago-china-bet-big-on-electric-vehicles-now-western-carmakers-are-feeling-the-pain-286851>
"In Germany, Japan and the United States, famous carmakers are in trouble. One
reason is intense competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers – and
growing public demand for EVs. The automakers who dominated the 20th century
have largely failed to shift to electric.
Volkswagen was once the biggest carmaker in China. Now it only has a bit part.
In June, it announced plans to cut 100,000 jobs worldwide. “We have no chance
against this,” admitted Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe after visiting a high-tech EV
factory in Shanghai. Months earlier, Ford CEO Jim Farley warned Western
carmakers were “in a fight for our lives”.
In 2025, Chinese factories produced almost 75% of the world’s EVs. As more and
more drivers go electric, esteemed brands and luxury carmakers have been forced
to close factories and scramble to stay relevant. The global shift to EVs has
accelerated amid the US-Iran conflict.
China’s rise wasn’t a given. It was a gamble. But it is now paying off – and
legacy automakers are struggling to cope."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
