This FT article caught my eye.  Click HERE.  Snippets:

Rising manufacturers such as Chery Automobile and Geely are developing or launching hybrid, electric and other alternative-energy vehicles, betting that China can follow its successes in mobile phones and digital technology by becoming a leader in greener cars.

Given China’s size and ability to set standards, the argument goes, they might then dominate the next generation of carmaking as well as key supplier industries such as lithium-ion batteries.

China is a country that is short of energy,” Jin Yibo, Chery’s assistant general manager, told the Financial Times. “Chery believes this is the future trend of the Chinese automobile industry.”

Carmakers also need to raise their game as weak demand in the US and Europe makes China’s burgeoning market a central competitive arena for the global industry.

“Chinese carmakers are trying to move up the value chain and the brand-positioning chain,” says Michael Dunne, of JD Power, a consultancy.

After an awkward start it looks like China is determined to push into the next generation of auto technology.  It's about energy independence and profit.  Perhaps also embarrassment that some Olympic athletes are reluctant to even participate in the Peking games because of pollution.

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Meanwhile the Bush administration drags its feet on climate change.  Here's an ARTICLE.  Snippets:

The reaction dimmed prospects for progress at the Paris talks, and at later United Nations negotiations.

Germany slammed the proposal, which would allow emissions from the US to continue to rise until 2025. The environment minister’s office issued a statement describing the speech as “neanderthal” and demonstrating “not leadership but losership”. France said the target was “a bit late”.

The European Commission took a more measured approach, saying the White House target did “not match the level of ambition needed on the part of developed countries, considering their responsibilities in the challenge we face”. The Commission’s plan is to cut emissions in the European Union by 20 per cent by 2020.

Hello?  Why aren't we out in front on this?  US technology is (was?) the best in the world?  Surely we want to push aggressively for environmental regulation?  If only to create a market for US technology and manufacturing?

But, the Republicans appear to be doing the opposite.  Why?

I submit that it's in our national interest to embrace the theory / reality of Global Warming - because it goes hand-in-hand with our own interests on energy independence and business competitiveness.

Once China decides to head in this direction, there will be no stopping them.  

Well, maybe they'll be willing to sell us affordable hybrid / electric cars.  Why should we waste our time developing a US model?  Just let the free market take care of it!

Better to consolidate our position as the world leader in creative Financial Services!