CDT Cartastrophe: No Quick Fix In Sight

Officially, carmakers around the world are putting on their best “what me worry” faces and say that they are unaffected by a sudden shortage of a key component, caused by a factory explosion in Germany. Behind closed doors, they are freaking out. Carmakers and suppliers met in Detroit for an emergency summit under the auspices of the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIGP). After the meeting, the first admissions of impending doom surfaced.

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Maker Of Strategic Material May Be Down For Months, Shortages To Last Longer

Evonik Industries told Reuters that it will take at least three months for its damaged chemical plant in Marl, Germany, to resume normal production of CDT, and that full production of CDT may not return until the beginning of next winter.

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Factory Explosion Threatens World's Car Industry

A huge explosion in an industrial park in Marl, Germany, killed two. It also could bring the world’s auto industry to its knees “in the next few weeks,” writes Bloomberg.

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  • SCE to AUX Over the last 15 years and half a dozen vehicles, my Hyundais and Kias have been pretty cheap to maintain and insure - gas, hybrid, and electric.I hate buying tires - whose cost goes by diameter - and I'm dreading the purchase of new 19s for the Santa Fe.I also have an 08 Rabbit in my fleet, which is not cheap to fix.But I do my own wrenching, so that's the biggest factor.
  • MaintenanceCosts '19 Chevy Bolt: Next to nothing. A 12v battery and a couple cabin air filters. $400 over five years.'16 Highlander Hybrid, bought in 2019: A new set of brakes at all four corners, a new PCV valve, several oil changes, and two new 12v batteries (to be fair, the second one wasn't the car's fault - I had the misfortune of leaving it for a month with both third-row interior lights stealthily turned on by my kid). Total costs around $2500 over five years. Coming due: tires.'11 BMW 335i, bought in late 2022: A new HID low beam bulb (requiring removal of the front fascia, which I paid to have done), a new set of spark plugs, replacements for several flaking soft-touch parts, and two oil changes. Total costs around $1600 over a year and a half. Coming due: front main seal (slow leak).'95 Acura Legend, bought in 2015: Almost complete steering and suspension overhauls, timing belt and water pump, new rear brakes, new wheels and tires, new radiator, new coolant hoses throughout, new valve cover gaskets, new PS hoses, new EGR valve assembly, new power antenna, professional paint correction, and quite a few oil changes. Total costs around $12k over nine years. Coming due: timing belt (again), front diff seal.
  • SCE to AUX Given this choice - I'd take the Honda Civic Sport Hatchback (CVT). I 'built' mine for $28777.To my eye, the Civic beats the Corolla on looks these days.But for the same money, I can get an Elantra N-Line with 7-speed DCT, 201 HP, and good fuel economy, so I'd rather go for that.
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X '19 Frontier Pro 4X. Next to nothing. All oil changes are on schedule. Got new tires at 60000 miles. Still on original brakes at 79000 miles. Those are due soon. Brakes complete estimate $1000 all in.
  • Dr.Nick The cars seem really expensive with tight back seats and Cadillac was on the list of the highest price gouging dealers coming out of COVID. I don’t understand the combination, shouldn’t they be offering deals if they are not selling?