Car Craze - China

July 2006


In the past decade, car ownership in China has quadrupled. But what are the environmental and economic implications of the growth of China's motor industry?

In China, more than anywhere else, cars are synonymous with status. "In the past, I felt jealous of other people driving cars. Now I feel they envy me", states first time owner Wei Li. Gone are the rivers of bicycles, replaced by gridlocked roads. But cars are already having a serious impact on the country's environment. China has 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities and much of this smog is caused by drivers. And China's roads are amongst the most deadly in the world. "According to Chinese culture, you can mortally offend someone's pride if you put on a seatbelt whilst they're driving", explains AA spokesman Jason Li. Students train on purpose built roads and only experience real driving conditions after they pass their test. Others are concerned about the foreign policy implications of China's thirst for fuel. The country already struggles to meet its energy needs. By 2020, it's thought China will consume 9 million oil barrels a day, pushing up oil prices even further. But new car owners refuse to be put off. As Jason Li explains: "Cars are a symbol of having made it and being able to enjoy that freedom."

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• China
• Car
• Craze
• Freedom
• Wealth
• Environment
• Bicycles
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[abaj006]

People should have the freedom to live the way they want to.

[dex216sims]

I agree. You have to start somewhere. It's not like they've been driving for 30 years or so. These are growing pains. There were plenty of accidents in America when the masses started driving cars in the 1920s.

[Gloomshadow1]

@merakhagen the problem is not cars, the problem is cities..eventually they will get sick of that and build suburbs like the US did. The thier birth rate will fall off a bit too..it will work out over time, too many CO2 worrywarts out there..

[merakhagen]

15:30, the Chinese people will get into its path eventually. Automobile everywhere, anytime, all the time, is simply not sustainable. The trojectory will taper off.

[merakhagen]

14:45, you figure why Chinese love cars. They should. After years of oppression and censorship. Car represent freedom. My next bet is the recreational vehicles/camping vehicles in China. 

[aliroxdha]

i and all pakistani like and love china and pakistan

[danpt2000]

@abaj006: I want to live in Big mansion with jacuzzi in every room, inground pool, and a harem to serve me every night.

[Embargoman]

Yes it will take the big 3 automakers from Detriot to make cars in China while that happend all the American branded cars that are recomended for Consumer Reports are all the made in China models while the USA made ones are not going to be recomended by Consumer Reports plus a car that is built by a Detriot based company in China will perform and have the same quality as a car that is built by a Japanese manufacuture while the one made in the orginal country of that company doesn't.

[abcattack]

chiness people must go for elecation

[lendmeurears]

"within two decades China is set to produce more cars than anywhere else in the world" - They achieved that this year lol... with 12 million cars produced. Another funny thing is that, while GM's US business is losing money, GM's China outlets are selling more cars than ever. Chinese consumers love American auto's more than the American's themselves.

[CriminalJustice12]

I like this video but for now I think that I would like to buy a car made in America

[CharmedAngel]

People in China are HORRIBLE drivers...even tho it takes a longer process to get a license there ._.