A group representing American automakers sent a letter (PDF) Thursday to congressional leaders asking for a “permanent ban” on Chinese-made cars in the U.S. John Bozzella, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation’s CEO and president, described in the letter China’s manufacturing industry as “rooted in a well-documented pattern of unfair trade, subsidies, intellectual property theft and surveillance.” Bozzella addressed his request to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) – urging them to back a “permanent ban on the sale, import and manufacture of Chinese connected vehicles,” before the 119th Congress concludes in January.

  • tag118@lemmy.zip
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    6 hours ago

    So car manufacturers want to block their competition?

    I am shocked I tell you, shocked!

    • zewm@lemmy.world
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      3 hours ago

      It works. I haven’t been able to buy a new Suzuki Samurai because they made legislation against it. 🤪

  • masterspace@lemmy.ca
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    6 hours ago

    Or you know, the government could just match Chinese industry subsidies so they’re competing on level playing fields.

    China’s government is using government power to invest in critical and necessary industries that benefits everyone, like renewables and EVs, driving down their costs.

    The US instead spends it’s money investing in fossil fuel companies, and letting billionaires hoard it, and then complains when Chinese EVs are cheaper. You’re the richest fucking country in the world. Stop fucking whining and start using your wealth to produce competitive EVs. It’s not that fucking complicated.

  • greyscale@lemmy.grey.ooo
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    6 hours ago

    Maybe if the US auto industry spent the last 10-15 years innovating and reinvesting instead of paying dividends and stock buybacks, it’d not be dying on its arse right now.

    Made their own bed, and expecting the US consumer to keep buying overpriced swill.

    • Sludgehammer@lemmy.world
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      4 hours ago

      What are you talking about? The American auto industry has done plenty of innovations over the past decades. They’ve innovatively made trucks that are 6’ tall at the hood, and also have turned every brand of car into a SUV.

      • _NetNomad@fedia.io
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        2 hours ago

        don’t forget the advances in headlight technology. traffic will be a solved problem once cars can vaporize each other with their high beams

      • greyscale@lemmy.grey.ooo
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        4 hours ago

        un-friendshape-maxxing

        I do not know where all the friendly bubble-shaped cars went. I don’t want an angry cube shaped like a battering ram, I want 4 armchairs with the most smooth, slick shape for low drag and impact softness wrapped around it.

        If I could just buy a chinese EV I’d buy the Li Mega but its simply not allowed.

  • holy_scroller@lemmy.zip
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    5 hours ago

    Screw these guys. US automakers have basically abandoned any attempt to build an affordable, small, electric car leaving a giant gap for the Chinese to fill, and we would all be better off if they did.

    I’ve owned a Chevy bolt for 4 years and love it, but Chevy/GM keeps trying to kill it (2nd cancellation in mid 2027) and move everybody to an electric Equinox. If they don’t want to build small affordable (hopefully electric) cars, screw them, no sympathy. They clearly know people would buy these Chinese electrics.

  • TheFogan@programming.dev
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    6 hours ago

    rooted in a well-documented pattern of unfair trade, subsidies, intellectual property theft and surveillance

    I have faith in America, there’s no way we’re losing to china in patterns of unfair trade, subsidies, IP theft and surveillance.

    • nymnympseudonym@piefed.social
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      6 hours ago

      There’s a commercial on the radio in GTA:VC. A baby is crying and the voiceover says, “This American baby is starving because you bought a cheaper, higher-quality Daihatsu!”

  • Zwuzelmaus@feddit.org
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    6 hours ago

    Oh yes, build a Chinese Wall around Usa, and then make China pay for it 🦸‍♀️😉😜