First the Prius, Now the Volt? China Threatens Supply of Battery Materials
by
Jack Baruth
Published: October 20th, 2010
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Are they or aren’t they? Yesterday, the story broke that China might be placing a hold on exports of rare earths to the United States. This comes after rumors of the hold on exports to Japan reportedly entering its fourth week. This could put a halt to Prius assembly once Toyota exhausts its stores of rare earths; you can’t make batteries without the stuff.
The official word is that China will continue to supply the United States and will, in fact, raise exports, but only Herr Bertel Schmitt probably knows for sure. In the meantime, have no concern for the Chevy Volt; although the battery packs are assembled in the United States, the heavy lifting’s done in Korea.
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"I just want to celebrate!" All the classic rock allusions are great, but TTAC has yet to top Sajeev's epic MC5 reference....
Rare Earth!
How can we not learn from men with such wise faces?
I can see them now informing the world's leaders of how they should protect Mother Earth. While firmaments of Mother Nature provide the smelly essence of their disjointed pearls of wisdom.
With six people in the band I'm also assuming that from Classic Rock standards they have at least three guitarists, an organ, and a cowbell.
When I hit the space bar to scroll down while I am reading the comments, instead of scrolling down one screen it goes to the bottom of the page to a Bing ad. I'm using Safari on a Mac. (If I scroll with the scroll bar, it works correctly.)
Of course the product planners never, ever, think of the viability of an abundant supply of some weirdo raw material that they design the car around. It's all about public image. It's not our fault it requires delirium 718 by the ton. Obama is requiring GM to go that route and it's totally without any clue of the overall practicality of buying into something. It's whatever sounds good to the masses.