Free market auto producers?

Miscellaneous Current Events
1

Are there any auto producers that do not, or only to a really small extent, rely on state subsidies, donations of state land and political lobbying efforts to get their cars done? The only company I know of that fits these criteria may be Tesla Motors, but despite all the ghastly global warming happening around us, I still like my cars on gas and diesel.

I’m driving a Ford right now, probably will for quite another while, but after the whole bailout affair, they do not seem so tough anymore, unfortunately.

2

No auto geeks among us? [:)]

3

I’m one of those Europeans who doesn’t own or use a car.

4

I’d imagine I would be an auto-geek, to some extent, if we were in the free-market & electric / lithium-powered / solar etc. cars were the norm, possibly because the state of the market would enable me to be vastly more mobile than in a non-free market, and also because urban pollution would be greatly reduced (I don’t think I could stand the city even without pollution, however).

Although, I’m much more a ‘man of letters’ than a ‘man of tires’, so maybe not much would be different, anyway.

5

Unfortunately, I believe Tesla is looking for a bailout. TPTB aren’t interested in electric vehicles right now. There is a lot more money in oil, and providing oil security by cluster bombing civilians in their homes.

6

I remember hearing about some small-time auto company in India that has been looking towards entering the Western market by buying up used Big Three assets.

7

I remember hearing about some small-time auto company in India that has been looking towards entering the Western market by buying up used Big Three assets.

Yes, Indian and Chinese producers also came to my mind as an alternative to our “national treasures” in the West.

In India, I could make out “Maruti” and “Mahindra and Mahindra”, but both companies seem to be engaged in joint ventures with established multinational auto producers. Plus, I couldn’t really figure out which cars they build and sell. As much as I dislike Ford’s business practices, their web page is just more informative.

As for China, it got a lot more confusing there with all their mid-size companies, but that’s a good thing, it means competition. I specifically looked into Jiangling Motors Corporation, they seem to build primarily trucks and 4x4s, at least that’s what they’re advertising. Their Landwind model, however, didn’t do too well in some safety tests, and they also have a joint venture with Ford, meaning they’ll benefit from the bailout as well.

I also suspect that even if they’re not as notoriously dependent on corporate welfare as our domestic producers, they probably rely a lot on externalities. Hearsay has it that they don’t care too much about the environment down there.

Unfortunately, I believe Tesla is looking for a bailout. TPTB aren’t interested in electric vehicles right now. There is a lot more money in oil, and providing oil security by cluster bombing civilians in their homes.

Oh dear, you’re right. My sympathies for the electric car have suffered, though I don’t endorse bombing for oil either, of course.

I’d imagine I would be an auto-geek, to some extent, if we were in the free-market & electric / lithium-powered / solar etc. cars were the norm

I don’t know. Personally, I like having a can of gas with me just in case I run out. Don’t know how that would work out with electric and lithium cars.

Plus, these things have so many touchy parts; I like to go over some rough rocks to save a little time every now and then, and I have my doubts that any thin-skinned city mobile would enjoy that for too long. Or maybe I’m just a prejudiced truckin’ kinda guy. [:)]

I’m one of those Europeans who doesn’t own or use a car.

It’s fun if you got the knack. You should try it.

8

I heard there was a company in India a while back that made a car that got 60 mph on the cheap. Did any one hear more about this? How free-market are they?